ABC News
Springer's Radio Show to Go National
Jerry Springer's Liberal Talk Radio Show to Expand Nationwide on Air America Radio Network
By LISA CORNWELL Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
CINCINNATI Mar 23, 2005  More people will be able to hear trash TV host Jerry Springer under a deal announced Wednesday to take his radio program nationwide.
Springer's show will go live weekdays on the Air America Radio network beginning April 1. The liberal all-talk network currently broadcasts on 51 radio stations and on the Sirius and XM satellite networks.
Springer will be heard on about 45 of those stations initially.
"I said when I started the show that I am committed to making this radio program work, not only because I enjoy it, but because we need to hear progressive voices as well as conservative voices in our conversation today," Springer said in a telephone interview from Chicago.
New York-based Air America, which started up a year ago, includes comedian and liberal commentator Al Franken's show and another commentary program by Randi Rhodes.
The "Springer on the Radio" show, which began in January on WCKY-AM in Cincinnati, has expanded to other Clear Channel Radio stations in Cleveland, Detroit, Miami and San Antonio. Springer said the deal with Air America will not affect his relationship with Clear Channel.
Some observers have seen Springer's radio show as a springboard for the Democrat's possible return to politics in 2006, either in a run for governor or a Senate seat. He wouldn't say Wednesday whether he would run for office again.
Springer, 61, was elected mayor of Cincinnati in 1977 and made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio in 1982.
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Television star  has signed a contract to join the year-old political network  starting April 1. He says the new deal will not affect his popular television program, which will continue to be produced.  

After initially being carried by only 45 stations nationwide, the host of the long-running syndicated program, '''' will eventually have his radio show heard on all 51 Air America affiliates. The show also is planned to be broadcast by the Sirius and XM satellite radio services. 

Springer said he is committed to making his radio show a success. "Progressive, populist voices need to be a part of our nation's dialogue," Springer said in a press release. "I hope I can make a contribution." 

Although best-known for his low-budget, tongue-in-cheek talk show, Springer does have a political pedigree. He was a Democrat mayor of Cincinnati in 1977 and made a failed bid for governor of Ohio in 1982.