Media Strategy:

The situation as it stands: We do not have a widely distributed platform - no broadcast network, no cable network, that can be reliably counted on to promote and broadcast a progressive voice.  MSNBC is the closest we have, and it's in flux.  Their parent company has spun them off & their CEO has resigned - they may be up for sale or considering format change.  Add the viewer fall-off after the Joe & Mika capitulation and you can fill in the rest.  Granted, the post 8:00 PM hosts are by and large good , factual & processive leaning.  You are also dealing with individual egos and MONEY.  If you want a quick course in that subject, check Kieth Olberman's Countdown podcast 'D' Block "Stories I Promised Not To Tell" where the tea is spilled - repeatedly.

So, What to do?

Funding:

There is no one person on the left who has the resources to start and run a cable network - Soros, Cuban, ect. can't fund this alone, and I would not want them to.   But, they might be persuaded to do it together modeled on United Artists.  

"In its original operating period, UA was founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks as a venture premised on allowing actors to control their own financial and artistic interests rather than being dependent upon commercial studios." (Wikipedia)

If we can get a few like minded individuals together to fund this, it becomes doable.  And I'm not just talking seed money - This will be an ongoing commitment for at least 2 years (or more) until enough commercial time can be sold to cover operating expenses, much less produce profit.  Yes, profit - This is a business, after all.  Keep this a closed corporation - it has the side bonus of keeping a Board of Directors fingers out of editorial decisions.  Once you go public, you become susceptible to Investor influence - not good for a politically centered enterprise.

The Network:

Most cable networks start by offering their programming to providers for free - they do not get to negotiate broadcast fees until they become profitable and have an established viewer base.  That's what we're dealing with, so start small.  Build out a small studio in Washington DC.  A few cameras, editing facilities, network infrastructure, a news desk and an interview space.  Keep the initial programming at the news desk, focusing on daily events and topics.  Contract with AP & Reuters for news footage.  Expert interviews/Commentary can be over Zoom/Citrix or at the interview set for extended background.  You will also need an internet presence to run clips and promote the brand - YouTube clips to start, dedicated website later.  As the audience grows and funds increase, hire personalities to run commentary shows in the evening hours.  You can run daily repeats overnight.  If you want to go really cheap, Infomercials. Stay on this operational path until established and profitable.

Personalities: 

Initially, you will only need about 4 to 6 on camera people to run the news desk, plus behind the camera staff.  For commentary, we have a wide bench already established on the internet.  Miedas Touch, Rational National, Majority Report and other YouTube broadcasters and podcasters can be tapped for this.  Wether this is free or fee based will have to be negotiated.  Target former political staff and known commentators for this outreach.  

Suggested Commentary Names: 

Heavy hitters - Robert Reich, Malcolm Nance, Paul Krugman, Bernie Sanders, AOC, Glenn Kirshner, Mark Elias.  

Pinch hitters - Brian Taylor Cohen, Sam Seder, Stephanie Miller, David Pakman, Randi Rhodes, Kyle Kulinski.

A lot of these people will rebuff these initial efforts.  Fine, get who you can, but keep the door open.  They might reconsider once you have a wide enough audience.  Once you are established and profitable you can consider the next step.

Expansion:  

This can go in a couple directions - Coverage and Network.  

If you go coverage, consider new studios in New York (Financial)  and LA (entertainment)  Stick to the initial rollout model while setting these up and incorporate the output into daily programming, giving your established staff some breathing room and lessening your dependance on daily reruns.  Eventually, you may be able to spin these studios into seperate cable channels with interconnected programming.

If you go Network, consider radio.  Seriously.  Set up a group of AM radio stations on the Sinclair Broadcasting model.  The trick is to focus on the rural areas where FM is patchy.  This is exactly what the right did with their syndicated shows before Reagan, then Clinton and Gingrich opened the floodgates by gutting the fairness doctrine & ownership rules.  Set up this network in key red states and contract with left leaning syndicates or simulcast your own cable shows.   Clear channel/IHeart has been in financial distress for a while.  Peel off channels as they are divested and work from there.

That's it for now.