Re: WBAI massive layoffs
Well said BigA. The more I read these radio boards the more I realize that conservative talk radio and its most ardent supporters don't see it as entertainment but as a infomercial for the cause. Many of these same patriots say they believe in democracy, just as long as its a single party democracy. One which espouses their political viewpoints. I am not a fan of WBAI and disagree with the 99% of the political ideology it broadcasts. It is by no means a station with a liberal audience. It’s pretty far left wing and anti capitalist in its ideology. That isn't to say that I have never heard the station. I do miss the early Monday Shepherd rebroadcasts which I used to listen to on the trip in to work. Those broadcasts have been replaced by Al Jazeera (another who cares broadcast) and so I don’t listen to anything on the station. On the other hand this is NYC and where we used to have 2 commercial classical stations & we now have none. Yes, I am aware of both WQXR and WNYC’s non commercial HD broadcasts. WBAI does serve an audience and the only reason I can see for some people to cheer its demise is to silence a viewpoint being broadcast on a full power station that they don’t agree with. While they would never admit to such a thing it’s blatantly obvious that there is a anger expressed towards that station every time the call sign is brought up. Are there alternate outlets for this type of broadcasting, yes. But, as of now nothing has the potential for wide broad full city coverage that they get on 99.5. Unless you are lucky enough to have a cell service with an unlimited data plan you’re out of luck as far as internet streaming goes. As far as comparing liberal talk radios success with that of conservative talk radio, at least here in NYC the only outlet for liberal talk radio is a station on 1600 KHz with limited coverage. WBAI does program music that is otherwise unavailable and does broadcast some good shows of professional caliber, such as the show done by Gary Byrd. One of the stations major problems is that most people know nothing about what’s being broadcast outside of their fringe political programing. Advertising takes money and expertise. WBAI has neither. The station being non commercial could get corporate underwriting for it’s more mainstream music programing but I don’t believe the station employs anyone with the knowledge of such things. What it all comes down to Pacifica putting someone in charge who knows what he or she is doing. That is why Laura Walker at WNYC is such a success. There’s money to be had you just have to know how to go about attracting it. Selling a NY property, which is wholly owned is not the answer. Unlike many other broadcasters I believe Pacifica owns its facilities outright. Too bad other broadcasters who have over extended themselves can not say the same thing.
