WBAI Local Programming Ceases

[davideduardo]

From a business point of view, these suggestions make sense. However, WBAI considers itself a community radio station. Such stations typically have volunteers come in and do a show or two a week, offering a lot of diversity.

And it's that "show or two a week" that makes the station totally unlistenable by today's audiences.

People who want one show a week on a topic listen to podcasts. The station needs to achieve variety via a magazine format with lots of interesting guests and perspectives within a longer-form style that is inclusive rather than exclusive.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

I didn't think that EMF got much in the way of grants and that its main source of revenue is individual donations, with secondary revenue from investments of excess cash over expenses.

I think WBAI has been late getting its financial audits done for several years running, and was disqualified from receiving CPB grants due to lacking the required paperwork in time for the annual application deadlines.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

I think WBAI has been late getting its financial audits done for several years running, and was disqualified from receiving CPB grants due to lacking the required paperwork in time for the annual application deadlines.

Exactly. They are relying on donations (and bailouts) solely at WBAI. No CPB grants since, I think, 2014-2015.

Now that WBAI is under court-ordered "local control", what does this mean in regards to Pacifica and 99.5's solvency? My guess is a sale of some type...Pacifica knows now they can't change the station...better to use the proceeds to prop up the rest of the network. Perhaps a forced liquidation of 99.5 is more likely.

Of course, its more of the same as its been for a couple decades. Nothing may change if finances improve. However, the situation seems to get more and more dire with each "crisis".

 

[kevtronics]

I tuned in WBAI early this morning and heard dead air. I guess that's the new "local programming"...

 

[TheBigA]

Now that WBAI is under court-ordered "local control", what does this mean in regards to Pacifica and 99.5's solvency? My guess is a sale of some type...Pacifica knows now they can't change the station...better to use the proceeds to prop up the rest of the network. Perhaps a forced liquidation of 99.5 is more likely.

Any sale would have to be approved by the full board, and the full board has WBAI members who will oppose the sale. This is the same board that suspended the acting ED for his role in the take-over. They won't allow a sale because they see Pacifica as daddy warbucks.

 

[Tibbs4]

I tuned in WBAI early this morning and heard dead air. I guess that's the new "local programming"...

They finally have some hope of success with THIS programming concept. This whole scam should be on the block at the FCC. But, they are too busy ruining radio and fining AM owners with no money for tower lights.

 

[Barry]

I read that Pacifica's Interim Executive Director John Vernile has been suspended with pay, following his month long takeover of WBAI. This was apparently by vote of Pacifica's Board.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

Any sale would have to be approved by the full board, and the full board has WBAI members who will oppose the sale. This is the same board that suspended the acting ED for his role in the take-over. They won't allow a sale because they see Pacifica as daddy warbucks.

It sounds like WBAI will probably bankrupt the whole network, then.

Yeeeeeesh. This saga will not end until the entire bits is liquidated piece (or peace, in this case)-meal

 

[TheBigA]

I read that Pacifica's Interim Executive Director John Vernile has been suspended with pay, following his month long takeover of WBAI. This was apparently by vote of Pacifica's Board.

Yes, he was suspended without pay during the board meeting of October 20th. Also two longtime board members were removed for their part in the shutdown. One was Bill Crosier, who had been the president of the board. He has been a vocal critic of WBAI management for several years, and has said the station will destroy the foundation. So the current board is made up mainly of people who voted for return of local control. One of the other recently removed directors, Sabrina Jacobs, told the Brooklyn Eagle that she's concerned about the future of Pacifica:

https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2019/11/06/wbai-pacifica-court/

 

[TheBigA]

The soap opera continues:

https://current.org/2019/11/pacifica-considers-appeal-of-decision-that-restored-wbai-to-the-air/