Clear Channel station to stay as is

After a backlash from listeners, Clear Channel Radio is keeping its Air America affiliate on the air in Madison, Wis., instead of switching the progressive talk format to sports on Jan. 1.

The planned change to Fox Sports Radio, announced three days after the Nov. 7 election, had sparked outrage in Madison, a city long known for its liberal activism. Clear Channel said the station, WXXM-FM, had struggled to attract advertisers despite high ratings. But thousands of people protested the end of their favorite station through e-mails, phone calls and a petition delivered to station officials this week.