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WBAI Struggles
- Thread starter Theater of My Mind
- Start date
WBAI simple solution
The reason the good doctor is so popular is not because he heals people but because he talks about things we can all agree on. Shall I continue? Why not. Suppose this website needs to install more servers because popular topics may cause Internet congestion. I had this problem myself when a station
suffered a hostile takeover and was overbid for 3X of it's actual value. Now I sit on the fence because everybody too cheap to pay for what it's worth to make good radio.
Suppose for example we place a coward in the corner of the room. There he sits in the safety and security of his space with nothing to excite him. Divide and concur was always the trick used by tyrants and despots. Yes, those that came to party, hidden in safety deep behind the party lines. Cowards they be. Anybody creates unity and suddenly the power is returned to the community. I notice during fund raising events the most hateful and shameful tactic used to drive the listener to anger, perhaps in a vain attempt to destroy those people that remain hiding on the other side of the fence. Interesting how suddenly compromise happens in government parties when the main intention is to screw the general public at large. “A PEOPLE UNITED CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED” was the marching cry of the Mango farmers of Peru, threatened by foreign interests, looting and plundering the land for it's hidden riches. How classic the scene, plays and plays again and again. Well the proverbial fat lady is singing isn't she?
Imagine those think tanks in NYC, sitting there with their dusty chairs and microphones. How puny compared to the power of the massive radio audience in it's unending mission to make life a better place for everyone.
Now put that in your pipe and smoke it. The peace pipe.
How about instead of taking the easy road down hill to the muddy waters, you instead take the high ground and put that antenna on the tallest tower and studios everywhere where the people can use them? I can put out a high quality broadcast from this ten year old computer and $40 microphone. Before you start walking, you must first learn to crawl. Necessity is the mother of invention. Right?
The reason the good doctor is so popular is not because he heals people but because he talks about things we can all agree on. Shall I continue? Why not. Suppose this website needs to install more servers because popular topics may cause Internet congestion. I had this problem myself when a station
suffered a hostile takeover and was overbid for 3X of it's actual value. Now I sit on the fence because everybody too cheap to pay for what it's worth to make good radio.
Suppose for example we place a coward in the corner of the room. There he sits in the safety and security of his space with nothing to excite him. Divide and concur was always the trick used by tyrants and despots. Yes, those that came to party, hidden in safety deep behind the party lines. Cowards they be. Anybody creates unity and suddenly the power is returned to the community. I notice during fund raising events the most hateful and shameful tactic used to drive the listener to anger, perhaps in a vain attempt to destroy those people that remain hiding on the other side of the fence. Interesting how suddenly compromise happens in government parties when the main intention is to screw the general public at large. “A PEOPLE UNITED CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED” was the marching cry of the Mango farmers of Peru, threatened by foreign interests, looting and plundering the land for it's hidden riches. How classic the scene, plays and plays again and again. Well the proverbial fat lady is singing isn't she?
Imagine those think tanks in NYC, sitting there with their dusty chairs and microphones. How puny compared to the power of the massive radio audience in it's unending mission to make life a better place for everyone.
Now put that in your pipe and smoke it. The peace pipe.
How about instead of taking the easy road down hill to the muddy waters, you instead take the high ground and put that antenna on the tallest tower and studios everywhere where the people can use them? I can put out a high quality broadcast from this ten year old computer and $40 microphone. Before you start walking, you must first learn to crawl. Necessity is the mother of invention. Right?
Okay, after sifting through your ramble, I see what you're getting at. "People's" broadcasting.
The problem is, with your idea of putting the antenna on the tallest tower (it is on the 2nd tallest in NYC) is the COST involved in doing so!!! The peace pipe can be smoked much easier with you and every other wannabe "broadcaster" putting up a link to their podcast.
The model of WBAI as the alternative media is passe. The internet has stolen the crown of alternative media from any radio and TV outlet, no matter how radical it is. Why screw around with transmitters, tower rent, STL's, public files, the FCC in general when you can put your niche message (no matter left or right) on the web.
Radio, to be successful, has to reach enough people to make it profitable. Even noncomm radio has bills they need to pay, as WBAI found out the hard way. Their "format" as such, is not any type of mass appeal. It's niches within niches, and there just aren't enough supporters to pay the bills.
The problem is, with your idea of putting the antenna on the tallest tower (it is on the 2nd tallest in NYC) is the COST involved in doing so!!! The peace pipe can be smoked much easier with you and every other wannabe "broadcaster" putting up a link to their podcast.
The model of WBAI as the alternative media is passe. The internet has stolen the crown of alternative media from any radio and TV outlet, no matter how radical it is. Why screw around with transmitters, tower rent, STL's, public files, the FCC in general when you can put your niche message (no matter left or right) on the web.
Radio, to be successful, has to reach enough people to make it profitable. Even noncomm radio has bills they need to pay, as WBAI found out the hard way. Their "format" as such, is not any type of mass appeal. It's niches within niches, and there just aren't enough supporters to pay the bills.
Yes I agree that WBAI should be sold and Pacifica Broadcasting should primarily distribute and evaluate shows for Free Speech TV. Its like EPS, PRI, APT, APM, NETA, PRX, CIR and Propublica would produce and distribute some content for PBS and NPR affiliates at non-primetime hours Look at this network Free Speech TV they aim directly at the Pacifica KPFA/WBAI audience.
https://www.freespeech.org/
I know that Pacifica Radio tends to aim more at the Occupy, Green Party, factions that live in some parts of America such as Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco. But Look at Free Speech TV they obtained rights to air Bill Press TV edition as a ploy to get some members of the DNC and Air America Fans to the network. I know that Free Speech for over a decade has aired the TV Edition of Pacifica's Democracy Now and did well. Maybe in able to make Pacifica to get their act together they can move Free Speech news and distribute it to FSTV. But then again anything Pacifica does can lead to a dead end.
Radio is still here.
I know all too well of the costs of tower site, transmitter, cooling and electric bills. I also know how difficult it is for non-coms to bring in money.
Sure WBAI could get away with a small tower and still reach the inner city but WBAI is ignoring the suburbs and out of state audience reached by it's awesome signal. Why not take advantage of this reach and bring in the entire audience?
My thoughts on the Freedom Tower site, the new World Trade Center 1. Is that it is owned by the Port Authority and even though leased out, there should be allowed some spaces provided for public use. This would mean that Pacifica would have to lobby to change the rules and funding considerations between governemt and noncommercial stations. Educational stations, for example may apply for grant money, used for construction or improvements. Also over time, those tall towers will not be in so much high demand as TV and radio fade from existance and are replaced by the net. Also competition from new towers may lower prices some. Still and all, IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK. The lease holder may be eligable for a tax break in exchange for granting free of cheap tower space.
I have seen too many stations collapse and ruin radio's good reputation by running annoying commercials and formats while also ignoring the needs and feelings of the listeners. In a way, it's those badly made loud, annoying commercials that drives many to the softer more relaxing sound of noncommercial radio.
Maybe if WBAI backed out of the corner it has painted itself into, more and more creative and talented broadcasters and consultants will work for the station and bring it back to it's full glory.
Safe to say radio is obolete but wireless internet uses radio waves. Now, the podcast I used to make got too big. The site wanted money to allow for more downloads and I couldn't pay. Not enough support from the listeners and I made it free so it could reach more people. People would visit the site and downloading was blocked. This is the main problem I have with the net. You have to pay more money for more listsners and bandwidth to support them. Using commerical sites with advertizing defeats the purpose of being non-commercial. Radio and TV can support unlimited audience, as long as they are inside the reach of the signal.
I know all too well of the costs of tower site, transmitter, cooling and electric bills. I also know how difficult it is for non-coms to bring in money.
Sure WBAI could get away with a small tower and still reach the inner city but WBAI is ignoring the suburbs and out of state audience reached by it's awesome signal. Why not take advantage of this reach and bring in the entire audience?
My thoughts on the Freedom Tower site, the new World Trade Center 1. Is that it is owned by the Port Authority and even though leased out, there should be allowed some spaces provided for public use. This would mean that Pacifica would have to lobby to change the rules and funding considerations between governemt and noncommercial stations. Educational stations, for example may apply for grant money, used for construction or improvements. Also over time, those tall towers will not be in so much high demand as TV and radio fade from existance and are replaced by the net. Also competition from new towers may lower prices some. Still and all, IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK. The lease holder may be eligable for a tax break in exchange for granting free of cheap tower space.
I have seen too many stations collapse and ruin radio's good reputation by running annoying commercials and formats while also ignoring the needs and feelings of the listeners. In a way, it's those badly made loud, annoying commercials that drives many to the softer more relaxing sound of noncommercial radio.
Maybe if WBAI backed out of the corner it has painted itself into, more and more creative and talented broadcasters and consultants will work for the station and bring it back to it's full glory.
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WBAI can't move to 1 WTC due to short spacing with WJBR in Wilmington, DE. Case closed, they're stuck at Empire.
The time has passed for that station to come back to it's full glory. In those glory days, there was a cohesive counterculture. The media landscape was different, very limited choices for news (3 networks) and also very limited choices for counterculture news.
Not the case today. Each group can have its own voice, with it's own website and the ability to reach 99% of the planet.
The time has passed for that station to come back to it's full glory. In those glory days, there was a cohesive counterculture. The media landscape was different, very limited choices for news (3 networks) and also very limited choices for counterculture news.
Not the case today. Each group can have its own voice, with it's own website and the ability to reach 99% of the planet.
The funny part is that WBAI also works that platform. They stream their signal online to the entire world. And they still can't pay their rent. That's when you know you've got problems.
http://fsrn.org/content/fsrn-announces-its-last-newscast-will-be-aired-september-27/12565
Thats not the only one. It turns out PAcifica still owes royalties to Free Speech News.
Proof that free speech ain't free
True and Pacifica for some reason always have a shutdown. Pacifica shut down Free Speech Radio News recently but they attempted to Shut Down Democracy Now at one point before that show was granted to appear on Free Speech TV.
It's because they're all so radically individual that they think their point of view is the only one that should be heard. This is the result, that they try to govern by "collective" but they (the managers/staff of WBAI & Pacifica) can barely agree enough to keep their market #1 signal on the air.
My point with each group with their own website etc. was that why do they want, or need a couple hours a week on WBAI when there is a way to do it 24/7 for themselves? The model of WBAI no longer works in the "internet age". It's unnecessary with the level of access to "the public" that anyone can have now.
My point with each group with their own website etc. was that why do they want, or need a couple hours a week on WBAI when there is a way to do it 24/7 for themselves? The model of WBAI no longer works in the "internet age". It's unnecessary with the level of access to "the public" that anyone can have now.
When radio is a mission, access isn't the goal. You're right...anyone can have access. Their mission is more than access. There's a certain level of retaining their position. I once spoke with the leader of church whose building was located on a valuable piece of real estate in the middle of the financial district. The church had fallen on hard times, and was looking to raise money. I pointed out that they could sell the church because the land it was on had become extremely valuable. The leader told me that would defeat the mission. Their mission is based on where they are, and maybe even preventing others from taking that valuable position for profit.
Bandwidth costs for Internet can grow very high when serving millions of listeners. Yes, we all know radio is going down, but that's more because of greedy corporations taking over and crappy boring programming. If the station is REALLY GOOD. People will still tune in and ratings go up. Sometimes this means putting personal agendas aside and giving audience what they want, need or expect, even what they deserve, good or bad. Also there are other ways to fund the station, not just "'begathons" and selling stuff. Careful about selling stuff if you want to stay noncom but legal if program related so no biggie. How about a concert on the scale of Woodstock? You know how much money that would bring? Just be prepared for in case TOO MANY PEOPLE show up. It worked good for station I worked for. Got us out of hot water.
Also with correct antenna and power adjustments, signal coverage can custom tailored for antenna on top of 1 WTC or maybe not the VERY TOP but at same height as Empire State Building. Also big antenna sites on Staten Island could be investigated for use.
Also with correct antenna and power adjustments, signal coverage can custom tailored for antenna on top of 1 WTC or maybe not the VERY TOP but at same height as Empire State Building. Also big antenna sites on Staten Island could be investigated for use.
S
stevensonair
Guest
I'd venture they want access to airtime on a station like WBAI because being terrestrial is still seen as a "legitimitizer" if there is such a word. Having your broadcast or organization on free to air radio increases visibility and makes you seem more legitimate. If you doubt it, try selling internet only commercials for a locally targeted webcast that has no terrestrial component and see how you're received. That may change, but we're not there yet.
First Amendment Under Attack By Government.
Yes, also hard to get press passes and access to political guests without joining some radio or press related organization. We can see Diane Feinstein and others attacking and weakening Internet media by making it hard for them to have access to press conferences. http://youtu.be/qgiU60tkGJg
Yes, also hard to get press passes and access to political guests without joining some radio or press related organization. We can see Diane Feinstein and others attacking and weakening Internet media by making it hard for them to have access to press conferences. http://youtu.be/qgiU60tkGJg
Umm The Problem here is that the corporate offices at KPFA and Pacifica headquarters in Berkeley never took a look at the rest of their TV Partners model "Free Speech TV". Free Speech TV's Underwriters are the Ad Council. I understand that Free Speech TV is Supposed to be Pacifica on TV. But Somehow Free Speech TV manages to air some documentaries that could have went to PBS's POV but they were rejected. Also FSTV managed to get some of theDNC, Air America audience on board. Also Pacifica needs to changether name to Free Speech Media or Free Speech Radio. Pacifica means calm in Spanish but the Problem here is that when most people say Pacifica it wuld mean the city West of the San Francisco Airport that always have issues with mudslides and erosions.
That's because she only wants "press" present that will agree with her and further her agenda.
And the type of programming that WBAI has isn't going to be selling commercials. Both on principle (the man) and because it won't have much appeal to any advertisers.
Listener supported online? It's worth a try, because what they have isn't working. They're like a family where both parents are laid off and trying to keep the 5 bedroom house in the expensive town. Time to smartly downsize... contact WNYC and make a deal to get 105.9 and $5-10 million in exchange for 99.5. If they want to stay on the air at all, downsizing has to be done.
And the type of programming that WBAI has isn't going to be selling commercials. Both on principle (the man) and because it won't have much appeal to any advertisers.
Listener supported online? It's worth a try, because what they have isn't working. They're like a family where both parents are laid off and trying to keep the 5 bedroom house in the expensive town. Time to smartly downsize... contact WNYC and make a deal to get 105.9 and $5-10 million in exchange for 99.5. If they want to stay on the air at all, downsizing has to be done.
All very good points and nice discussion here. I do think that Pacifica will adapt and make the changes needed to keep up with current trends in USA.
Fact is people have changed quit a bit in the past 50 years. Radio stations must constantly re-invent themselves to keep fresh and up to date.
We all know the 2 party system is being rejected by the great masses. We won't get fooled again. Not being centrist either, my wish is to see the good causes on both sides being discussed on the air. Causes and ideas that bring people together. I hear this on the station already. Keep up the good work.
Done correctly and respectfully, especially when restoring and protecting all people's rights, they can bring on the love and emotion that generates donations, free advice and support. Yes, good advice is worth BIG money in this industry.
Fact is people have changed quit a bit in the past 50 years. Radio stations must constantly re-invent themselves to keep fresh and up to date.
We all know the 2 party system is being rejected by the great masses. We won't get fooled again. Not being centrist either, my wish is to see the good causes on both sides being discussed on the air. Causes and ideas that bring people together. I hear this on the station already. Keep up the good work.
Done correctly and respectfully, especially when restoring and protecting all people's rights, they can bring on the love and emotion that generates donations, free advice and support. Yes, good advice is worth BIG money in this industry.
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I think the problem with WBAI is that it is too little, too late.
WBAI is that restaurant that has been terrible for 20 or so years, so long that people automatically "don't go there". Now it's under new management and the food is better, but the damage has already been done.
WBAI as a radio station is dead. Even if the programming changes, is the marketing push going to be there to let people know that it exists and is a different product from the "all about me" circus that it has been for two plus decades?
Pacifica would be best to use the leverage of the 99.5 signal to generate much needed cash and still stay on the air. I've mentioned 105.9 quite a few times. Another alternative is 103.9's CP in the Bronx. Cumulus has the cash to make that happen if they really wanted to. Yet another alternative is EMF and 96.7. Bet they would LOVE to have a full market NYC signal. They just acquired one in Philly...
Those are just FM options. There are many 50kW AM's that I'm sure another operator would swap for 99.5. CBS could lose one AM and gain one FM, for example. 99.5 WINS?
WBAI/Pacifica has options to explore that continue to serve the mission and fill a financial hole. Will they use them? History has told us no, that they would rather go down with the good ship principles than take a life raft and live to see another day.
WBAI is that restaurant that has been terrible for 20 or so years, so long that people automatically "don't go there". Now it's under new management and the food is better, but the damage has already been done.
WBAI as a radio station is dead. Even if the programming changes, is the marketing push going to be there to let people know that it exists and is a different product from the "all about me" circus that it has been for two plus decades?
Pacifica would be best to use the leverage of the 99.5 signal to generate much needed cash and still stay on the air. I've mentioned 105.9 quite a few times. Another alternative is 103.9's CP in the Bronx. Cumulus has the cash to make that happen if they really wanted to. Yet another alternative is EMF and 96.7. Bet they would LOVE to have a full market NYC signal. They just acquired one in Philly...
Those are just FM options. There are many 50kW AM's that I'm sure another operator would swap for 99.5. CBS could lose one AM and gain one FM, for example. 99.5 WINS?
WBAI/Pacifica has options to explore that continue to serve the mission and fill a financial hole. Will they use them? History has told us no, that they would rather go down with the good ship principles than take a life raft and live to see another day.
If I had to compare WBAI to a restaurant I wouldn't say it served bad foods, maybe specialty foods.
Some people would enjoy eating the foods and keep coming back but most wouldn't touch it. So now they decide to include more popular foods on the menu, pizza, burgers or whatever. You get the point.
Promotion on the other hand will indeed be a big problem with the debt situation they are in. I don't think it's allowed for them to sell shares of the station to the audience. Money will have to be put aside for this or maybe some cross promotion trade deals.
Now is the existing staff open minded enough to try new ideas? Sure, why not? They already let go of programs that didn't bring in the money. Just like the commercial model. Bills have to be paid.
AM stations are no picnic either. The massive antenna and ground system needs constant work and not so great for high quality stereo music. Also the AM listening audience is much older and mostly male because females dislike the poor sound quality and static on AM.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of this, radio is in a state of evolution, this time in a very bad way. WBAI came out of some bad ruts in the past, I think attitude and dedication will rescue the station again.
Some people would enjoy eating the foods and keep coming back but most wouldn't touch it. So now they decide to include more popular foods on the menu, pizza, burgers or whatever. You get the point.
Promotion on the other hand will indeed be a big problem with the debt situation they are in. I don't think it's allowed for them to sell shares of the station to the audience. Money will have to be put aside for this or maybe some cross promotion trade deals.
Now is the existing staff open minded enough to try new ideas? Sure, why not? They already let go of programs that didn't bring in the money. Just like the commercial model. Bills have to be paid.
AM stations are no picnic either. The massive antenna and ground system needs constant work and not so great for high quality stereo music. Also the AM listening audience is much older and mostly male because females dislike the poor sound quality and static on AM.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of this, radio is in a state of evolution, this time in a very bad way. WBAI came out of some bad ruts in the past, I think attitude and dedication will rescue the station again.
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