Radio

Yesterday, we were worried by rumors that there might be a bed bug infestation at Air America's New York offices. But today, the Web site's Really? blog confirms that the media company is in the clear.

Thanks to a visit from a bed bug-sniffing dog named Max, the 6th Avenue offices have been deemed safe and bug-free. What a cute pup!

Bedbug Dog Tells Air America No Bedbugs --Air America

Earlier: Air America Offices Get Checked For Bed Bugs

We made have found it hilarious when fake General Electric exec Jack Donaghy was plagued by bed bugs on "30 Rock" two weeks ago, but it's no joke that the nasty critters have infected more than one media company in New York, including publishers, ad agencies and Fox News.

But just in case you thought the biting beasts had any political affiliation, we assure you they are equal opportunity insects, now setting their sites on progressive radio and Web news outlet Air America. We've heard from a few tipsters that employees from the company's New York offices are working from home today as the space gets thoroughly checked for a possible infestation. We're hearing that the source of the scare was one suspicious bug found in a tenant's space that shares a floor with Air America.

Let's hope it's just a scare, since bed bugs are no joke: Fox News' infestation resulted in an employee lawsuit. However, in this case we hear that Air America has been very cautious and keeping their staff informed about what's going on.

Clark: FNC Made A Lot Of Mistakes In Dealing With Bed Bug Infestation --TVNewser

Air America Media took another step towards becoming more than just a progressive radio network with the relaunch of its Web site this week.

Air America is upping its multimedia offerings with blogs that offer original and aggregated news content 24/7, streaming multimedia and OnDemand content, a clip library and social media tidbits like interactive chats with Air America show hosts and producers. The site now has six new channels: News, Politics, Economy, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Green, as well as a channel called "Really?" for the weirder news stories of the day.

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The FCC has approved WNYC's purchase of classical radio station WQXR from The New York Times Co., the public radio giant announced this morning. The classical radio station will move to a new spot on the dial, 105.9 FM, precisely at 8 pm on October 8. The switchover from Univision, which currently broadcasts at that frequency, will occur live on stage at Carnegie Hall and will be simulcast on WNYC 93.9 FM. Univision will shift its programming to 93.6 96.3 FM.

Classical music fans must have been relieved earlier this year when WNYC, the nation's largest public radio station, emerged as a buyer for WQXR. They intend to transform the WQXR's operation into a member-supported station and have launched the $15 million Campaign to Preserve Classic Music Radio in New York City.

"WQXR will operate out of WNYC's new facilities on Varick Street in Hudson Square and the signal will continue to broadcast from the Empire State Building," says the press release.

Read the whole thing after the jump.

Earlier: WNYC Buys NYT's Classical Music Station

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Public radio network NPR has officially appointed its former defense correspondent Guy Raz weekend host of afternoon news show "All Things Considered." After serving as guest host on the program for months, Raz will step into his new position officially this weekend.

"The news doesn't end on Friday," Raz said. "It continues through the weekend. We'll cover it, but we're also a place where you'll hear new voices, interesting music and compelling personal stories."

The Saturday and Sunday versions of the one-hour show draw 2.2 million listeners, NPR said.

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Newspapers are dying, magazines are closing and more journalists are finding themselves without paying gigs every day. Everyone is wondering: what does the future hold for the media? We brought the questions to the front lines, asking leaders in the field to tell us: what's next?

We have discussed citizen journalism in this space before, but there is no denying the important role that social media and public involvement will play in the future of journalism. Andy Carvin, NPR's senior strategist for social media, has been working for the past few years to incorporate NPR's listeners' input into the public radio organization's reporting. We asked him how he makes it work, and what he's working on.

FishbowlNY: What do you do at NPR?

Andy Carvin: Part of my role is to come up with ways to have the public add to our shows. I very much come from the perspective that the community at large knows more about any given topic than any one reporter or organization does. Tapping into the community has been a great way to expand our coverage. For example, during the presidential debates we challenged listeners to find anything they thought sounded fishy and, if they could find any primary sources to prove their point, send it to us.

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New York public radio station WNYC just announced that it has purchased classical music station WQXR from The New York Times, promising to maintain its classical format and transform it into a public radio station.

As part of the deal, Univision Radio Inc. will pay $33.5 million to swap its FCC broadcast license for 105.9 FM and transmitting equipment for the New York Times Co.'s license, equipment, and signal at 96.3 FM. Then WNYC will pay the Times Co. $11.5 million for 105.9 FM's FCC broadcast license, transmitting equipment, WQXR's call letters and Web site.

WNYC, the largest AM/FM radio station in the U.S., will maintain WQXR's 73-year history of broadcasting classical music, but will move the station to 105.9 FM. Univision will be moving its WCAA station to 96.3 FM, a move that Gary Stone, president and COO of Univision Radio said would give "the Hispanic population of New York and the surrounding area...more diversity in music, entertainment and news, while classical music will continue to have a home."

The $45 million deal, which is subject to FCC approval, is expected to close during the second half of the year and WQXR is expected to begin airing at its new spot on the dial in October.

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Newspapers are dying, magazines are closing and more journalists are finding themselves without paying gigs every day. Everyone is wondering: what does the future hold for the media? We brought the questions to the front lines, asking leaders in the field to tell us: what's next?

"We're a progressive Web site that has its own radio network, and a radio network that has a Web site," he said.

FishbowlNY: Speaking on a media panel last week, you said that content providers need to find a target market for their content and that they should strive to become the "est" of something. What is Air America's "est"?

Bennett Zier: We are the most left of center-est or we're the left-est. Air America is a very well known brand and a brand that speaks to content that is left of center and progressive for listeners, viewers and readers. From our research we know that Air America has become synonymous with progressive media.

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Sirius XM Radio announced yesterday that former talk show host and explosive "View" co-host Rosie O'Donnell will be hosting her own daily morning show on satellite radio come this fall.

The show, called "Rosie Radio," will be a two-hour weekday talk show featuring Rosie's unique take on the world -- "an eclectic mix of humor, pop culture and serious conversation," the satellite radio network said.

"Rosie Radio" will also have "an ensemble feel" thanks to a variety of guests who will be sitting in to talk with Rosie, including celebrities and average Joes. We doubt that Rosie's former "View" co-hosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck or Barbara Walters will be among the guests who join in the fun, although that would make for great ratings.

Full release after the jump

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This morning, NPR debuted a new segment, Open Mic, on its "Morning Edition" show.

The premiere of the special series featured designer Jonathan Adler and his husband, Simon Doonan, who serves as creative director for high end department store Barneys. The couple took over the microphone for the seven-minute segment and interviewed each other about their fathers, in a kind of celebration of Father's Day this weekend.

"Simon and I both have lost our fathers and we thought it was a great opportunity to reflect on what they meant to us and especially what they meant to us in terms of creativity and being gay and all that stuff," said Adler (pictured at left with Doonan).

Later this month, the Open Mic will be taken over by "In the Heights" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Tony-winning Broadway composer and performer will talk about how songs are written with composer John Kander, who won a Tony this year for the musical "Next to Normal."

And next month, Open Mic will feature author Neil Gaiman, who will discuss audiobooks.