A B@B warm welcome to the Nova M Radio Network

According to Sheldon Drobny, Nova M Radio, which up until now was seeking to purchase radio networks, sought to fund Air America Radio and stave off last Friday's bankruptcy, but the offer was rebuffed. Nova M CEO Mike Newcomb talked about it on his Phoenix radio show on Monday. You can listen to what happened here, or at Newcomb's show site.

Today, Nova M announced that it is forming a new progressive radio network:

Air America Co-Founders Start New Liberal Talk Network
Mike Malloy, Joe Trippi and John Zogby join Nova M Radio

Nova M Radio, Inc. based in Phoenix, Arizona officially announced the formation of its new progressive talk radio network. Debuting on the network will be the long awaited return to the airwaves of America’s original “truth-seeker” Mike Malloy. The Mike Malloy Show will initially broadcast live, from 9PM -12 Midnight (EST) beginning October 30,2006 on Nova M Radio affiliate 1480-AM KPHX Phoenix. The Mike Malloy Show will be made available to affiliates across the nation and will also stream live on www.novamradio.com. Malloy on his return to the radio quipped “Yikes! That was close. To not be on the air during perhaps the most critical election in modern U-S history would have been a real bummer. But, we're back and here it is: The Nova M Radio network. Another crack in the wall of right-wing drivel that saturates the airwaves. Join me nightly, truth-seekers and goodbye Air America - hello Nova M!”

Anita Drobny and Sheldon Drobny, co-founders of the Air America Radio Network along with partner Dr. Mike Newcomb, CEO & Chairman of Nova M Radio, are the principals of the new network. On March 1, 2006 Air America Radio’s Phoenix affiliate went dark after the station was purchased by a religious broadcasting company who promptly terminated the progressive programming. Within 18 days Nova M Radio, Inc. had negotiated a deal with a new station and triumphantly returned progressive talk to the airwaves in America’s 5th largest city on April 3, 2006. Nova M Radio now looks to bring its unique brand to the rest of America.

Joining Nova M Radio as Media and Communication consultant will be Joe Trippi and Associates. Joe revolutionized electoral politics in America with his instrumental role in Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign, raising over $40 million in small donor contributions over the internet. By leveraging the scope and breadth of innovative internet-based technologies and digital tools, Joe and his team will help Nova M Radio reach out to millions of people who share common values and common goals.

Also joining our team will be internationally renowned pollster John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International. John will be co-hosting a weekly one hour show, “The Pulse of the Nation” where John polls particular hot button issues from politics and pop culture to the War in Iraq and stem cell research. Each program will include expert guests and audience participation. At the end of each show John will reveal the secret results of the poll and each listener will then know whether or not they have their finger on “The Pulse of the Nation”! Zogby proclaimed "This is very exciting. I will have the chance to share some of the latest polling on what Americans are really thinking about their lives, their needs, the views of government and politics, and how they think things need to be fixed. I know listeners are going to be fascinated by hearing what their peers are thinking".

Also debuting on Nova M Radio’s new network will be Mike “Doc” Newcomb and Peter B. Collins.

Mike Newcomb, MD is a former gubernatorial candidate and physician who cares for the elderly and the poor. His brand of “freedom fighting, liberty loving and truth telling” radio has taken Phoenix, AZ by storm. After only his first year on the air Mike was selected as the “Best Radio Talk-Show Host 2004” by the Phoenix New Times. Doctor Mike’s show will air Monday-Friday 9AM-Noon (EST).

Peter B. Collins, the San Francisco-based syndicated talk show host, is a veteran radio personality. In the Bay Area, Peter has entertained talk radio listeners on KGO, KNBR and KSFO. He was the top-rated morning personality on CBS-owned KRQ. His current daily program, The Peter B. Collins Show, originates 6-9pm (EST) weekdays.

CEO & Chairman Mike Newcomb stated, “We will continue to build upon the foundation laid by our predecessors and will work tirelessly to fulfill our fiduciary responsibilities to our investors. Equally important, we will with the millions of faithful progressive listeners uphold our vision to promote freedom, social justice, economic justice and peace worldwide.”

New and exciting updates will be available on the web at www.novamradio.com. For more information or interviews please contact Mike Newcomb at:

602-257-1351 (office)
mnewcomb@aaphx.com
824 East Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034

More information was revealed today; I snagged the audio and you can listen to it here.

There are a few promising developments. One of them is the presence of people like John Zogby and Joe Trippi. Another is a little tidbit in an e-mail blast from Marc Maron: "I'm talking with them now trying to figure out if it's where I want to be."

This is a very exciting development. Despite the on-air assurances by Sam Seder and Randi Rhodes that Air America is fine, it's pretty clear that it isn't. This new venture by the Drobnys assures that even if AAR folds, the best on-air talent will have a place to go -- and so will we.