Radio vet moves into Franken slot

Though comedian Al Franken, who gave up his Air America radio show for a U.S. Senate run, may have been the best-known personality on the liberal talk network, his time slot might be in even better hands now, a local station executive says.

Thom Hartmann’s three-hour program had been syndicated by Air America; now the network has begun airing it throughout the network in Franken’s old 9 a.m. to noon window.

“I think Thom’s better than Al. He’s an honest-to-God radio guy,” said Don Martin, program director of KTLK-AM (1150), Air America’s local affiliate. A longtime knock on Air America had been the lack of broadcast experience among many of its hosts, but the Portland, Ore.-based Hartmann started in radio in 1968.

Meanwhile, a federal bankruptcy judge in New York on Friday approved the sale of Air America for $4.25 million to Stephen L. Green, founder of a New York real estate firm. Air America was launched in 2004 and has lost money ever since.