1/12/09 UA73 SAN-SFO A320

During boarding, Captain announced ch9 was available but the audio system was turned off. After safety video was shown there was still no power in the audio controls. During Taxi, I asked this Vladimir Putin looking FA to turn on the audio system so he went up to the front and turned on the system however ch9 had some AM radio channel on with a lot of static interferrence. After takeoff, I asked Vladimir again to ask the cockpit to turn off the radio station and switch on the ch9, to which he said that it was captain's discretion. When I emphasized that captain intended for us to listen to ATC he shrugged his shoulders and went away.

After reaching cruise altitude, captain came on the PA and again announced that if you are an aviation enthusiast you are invited to listen to ch9 ATC communications. I thought maybe he found this issue and fixed it, but again it was the radio channel.

When we landed, I went to the lead FA and explained the whole situation and she gave me that buzz off look, the cockpit was empty so I didnt have the chance to bring the issue to the captain...

It was a very clear day flying over LA area and would have been an excellent listening opportunity but the stupid cabin crew ruined it for an enthusiast.