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WBAI Local Programming Ceases

B

Barry

According to RadioInsight.com, WBAI's owner Pacifica has, at least for now, ended all local programming. It is airing content from a national feed. The General Manager and Program Director, among others have been let go
This is apparently a nod to the fact that the station continues to be a huge financial drain to Pacifica.
A memo to employees states that they will try to restore local programming, "Once we are able to create a sustainable financial structure for the station."

WBAI Local Shows Gone: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/180943/wbai-new-york-eliminates-local-programming-staff/
 
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I think it's time for Pacifica to sell up to recoup some of the losses they've made on this station over the years. There's been a constant internecine conflict in WBAI for years and the public demand for the service just isn't there. Everything it does is done better elsewhere and for large parts of the day it's talking to itself. It's a noble aim to put out programming for under-served voices and communities but it's pointless if no one is listening. It's not a viable operation.

If this was 18 months ago, you'd expect EMF to swoop in and relieve them of the asset for a reasonable sum, but of course they no longer need to (unless they feel like moving Air1 onto a better NYC stick). Who else might be in the market for a Class B at 4 Times Square?
 
Miss Tuned said:
I think it's time for Pacifica to sell up to recoup some of the losses they've made on this station over the years. There's been a constant internecine conflict in WBAI for years and the public demand for the service just isn't there. Everything it does is done better elsewhere and for large parts of the day it's talking to itself. It's a noble aim to put out programming for under-served voices and communities but it's pointless if no one is listening. It's not a viable operation.

If this was 18 months ago, you'd expect EMF to swoop in and relieve them of the asset for a reasonable sum, but of course they no longer need to (unless they feel like moving Air1 onto a better NYC stick). Who else might be in the market for a Class B at 4 Times Square?
Click to expand...

I think nothing is going to happen though given that Pacifica has been going though this internal dysfunction for decades though.
 
The WBAI website is still up, but has not been updated to reflect today's developments.
A new message from Pacifica seems to indicate they may be sincere about intending to eventually restore local programming to WBAI, as opposed to selling it.
The programming WBAI is now airing apparently consists of recorded shows from sister Pacifica stations. To this listener, it seems more interesting.

Updated message from Pacifica (middle of the page): https://www.2600.com/content/lockout-wbai-hook-indefinitely-suspended
 
Long overdue, but I'm expecting this will lead to staff & union demonstrations and even the potential for vandalism. The last time something close to this happened, it was not very pleasant. As you can see from the link in the previous post, the staff blames Pacifica. They're blaming the wrong people.
 
Like most "alternative" media, Pacifica started on a low-rent platform, which back in the day was FM radio when all the big stations were on AM. Well, FM grew up to become prime real estate but Pacifica never grew their business model to keep up with the increased operating costs. The tower rent alone is ridiculous for what Pacifica programs, the size of their audience and the meager donations they get. They should have sold off the NYC frequency years ago and moved their shows to a podcasting model. That's today's equivalent of the low-rent platform they started on, and a much more suitable way to distribute the kind of alternative content Pacifica still produces.
 
Theater of My Mind said:
Like most "alternative" media, Pacifica started on a low-rent platform, which back in the day was FM radio when all the big stations were on AM. Well, FM grew up to become prime real estate but Pacifica never grew their business model to keep up with the increased operating costs. The tower rent alone is ridiculous for what Pacifica programs, the size of their audience and the meager donations they get. They should have sold off the NYC frequency years ago and moved their shows to a podcasting model. That's today's equivalent of the low-rent platform they started on, and a much more suitable way to distribute the kind of alternative content Pacifica still produces.
Click to expand...


Yes but what does anybody expect from Pacifica at this point.
 
Barry said:
The WBAI website is still up, but has not been updated to reflect today's developments.
A new message from Pacifica seems to indicate they may be sincere about intending to eventually restore local programming to WBAI, as opposed to selling it.
The programming WBAI is now airing apparently consists of recorded shows from sister Pacifica stations. To this listener, it seems more interesting.

Updated message from Pacifica (middle of the page): https://www.2600.com/content/lockout-wbai-hook-indefinitely-suspended
Click to expand...


you've been told these videos are pointless, add nothing to the discussions and you've been asked to stop but you continue
 
Once again those of us in Houston will be keeping an eye on KPFT, which has long been the oddball amongst the Pacifica stations. They would have no trouble finding a buyer, and it would raise a good chunk of cash. However we’ve seen this sort of Pacifica drama before, so i’m not holding my breath.
 
RadioGuy1864 said:
Their expenses are now the rent for the transmitter and the electric bill.
Click to expand...

Not sure about that. They still have studios, insurance, and the monthly payment on the $1.8 million loan for the missed ESB rent.

I think that outstanding loan is what forced the board's hand. They gave the local team 18 months:

"No financial terms of the settlement were revealed but Pacifica states it will pay it off through a loan from FJC that allows the foundation to not make payments for the first 18 months of the loan and only on interest payments for the following 18 months."

The first 18 months ended on October 5th.
 
Not familar with this situation other than what I have seen in the trades and these posts. Can this frequency not go commercial?
 
Yes, it could. But it's hard to imagine the Pacifica Foundation "selling out" to a commercial concern.
 
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