• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

WNET TV Buying Long Island Non-Commercial Radio Station

B

Barry

AllAccess is reporting that WNET TV (Channel 13) will be purchasing WPPB 88.3, located in the Hamptons.
I believe it is rather unusual, at least in this area, for a non-commercial TV station to branch into radio. The article did not mention whether WNET TV plans to make any changes to the listener supported station, which has a mix of news, talk and music. Their website states they are the only NPR affiliate on Long Island.
 
Barry said:
AllAccess is reporting that WNET TV (Channel 13) will be purchasing WPPB 88.3, located in the Hamptons.
I believe it is rather unusual, at least in this area, for a non-commercial TV station to branch into radio. The article did not mention whether WNET TV plans to make any changes to the listener supported station, which has a mix of news, talk and music. Their website states they are the only NPR affiliate on Long Island.
Click to expand...

Nassau County, of course, gets NPR from NYC, but WPPB is the only locally based NPR choice for Suffolk County, although the north side of Suffolk also gets NPR from Connecticut. I hope WNET don't flip WPPB to all news/talk; if it does, I fear that will not only be the end of its eclectic mix of music but of much of the ultralocal talk programmed during the day. It is very much a local station and it would be a shame to see national talk or, worse, New York City talk replace what it now does so well.
 
If you look at public broadcasting in general, it's very common. WGBH in Boston is both radio and TV. WETA in DC is both radio and TV. WHYY in Philly is both radio & TV. I'm just surprised that it's the first radio station for WNET. They probably had a chance to buy a few NJ radio stations when they took over NJPTV, but instead those stations became repeaters for WNYC. WNET produces some NJ-centric programming for their NJ TV stations, so they may do the same in LI.
 
WNET is expected to take control of programming on or about November 1, through an LMA.
It's interesting that with WNET set to take over so soon, WPPB was still doing over the air fundraising earlier today.
 
The station's financial statements made for some interesting reading. From what I can see, the station's financial situation wasn't very good, and a major loan was due on October 16. Not long after that due date came the announcement that WNET was buying the station. Here is one excerpt from the station's financial statement, dated at the end of last year, available at the station's website:

Substantial Doubt about the Organization’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Organization will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 12 to the financial statements, the Organization has suffered recurring significant reductions in revenue, has a net deficiency in net assets, and has stated that substantial doubt exists about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding those matters are also described in Note 12. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
 
My post above refers to Note 12. Here is Note 12:

Note 12 - Contingencies

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, the Organization showed a decrease in net assets of $(213,601) during the year ended December 31, 2018. As of that date, the Organization's current liabilities exceeded its current assets by $721,398 and its total liabilities exceeded its total assets by $247,082. Those factors, as well as the uncertain conditions that the Organization faces regarding its loan agreements (as discussed in Note 8), create uncertainty about the Organization's ability to continue as a going concern.

The board of directors of the Organization has evaluated these conditions and determined that a reduction of liabilities would alleviate this uncertainty. As a result, the Organization has approved a plan to reduce its liabilities which should be in place within ten months. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Organization is unable to continue as a going concern.
 
Would WNET Buy WNYC or WBAI

So perhaps WNET is trying to expand into radio! But apart from WPPB, can they have a good chance either buying WNYC or WBAI? Would they try to convert WPPB's status from Class B1 to Class B, making it one of the 3 Class B FM stations in Long Island (apart from WALK, WBLI)?
 
Would WNET Buy WNYC or WBAI (Part 2)

Personally, WNET should boost WPPB's power to about 29,000 watts (almost 30kw) and to convert into a Class B station. That way, WPPB can improve signal coverage throughout Eastern Long Island and parts of Southeastern Connecticut. However, most people that live in Western Long Island won't be able to pick up the new WPPB signal because it's transmitter is located in Southampton and that it doesn't have full Long Island coverage (compared to both WALK 97.5 and 106.1 BLI). Nevertheless, Long Island will now have 3 Class B FM stations.
 
madooputtus said:
So perhaps WNET is trying to expand into radio! But apart from WPPB, can they have a good chance either buying WNYC or WBAI?
Click to expand...

My sense is that someone on the WPPB board knows someone at WNET, and based on the information I posted earlier, this move was apparently made to save the station from going bankrupt. Of course WBAI is in a similar situation, but I doubt the Pacifica board would ever sell to WNET. WBAI has a lot more debt than WPPB. WNYC is in very good financial shape.
 
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...k-city-public-tv-operator-expands-into-radio/

New York City public television operator WNET, which owns “Thirteen” WNET Newark NJ and WLIW 21 Garden City NY as well as operating the NJTV PBS network in New Jersey, is expanding into radio with the acquisition of 88.3 WPPB Southampton NY for $944,834. WPPB serves as the NPR affiliate for eastern Long Island including the Hamptons. WNET will begin operating WPPB via Public Service Operating Agreement ahead of closing, but no start date was included in the filing.
Click to expand...


the purchase of 88.3FM WPPB-FM by WNET-TV is at $945,000
 
Regarding WNET Buying WNYE

I don't think that will be a good move for WNET because if they do buy 91.5 WNYE from the city, then the ethnic shows will likely be dropped. Soon afterwards, ethnic programmers will be heavily complaining WNET about the move.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom