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What's going on at WBAI?
Recently there have been management changes at WBAI. The new acting General Manager is LaVarn Williams, and the new acting Program Director is Tony Bates. The independents on WBAI's local station board support these changes - we believe change is WBAI's only hope.
Why the changes?
WBAI is in very bad shape. The past five years have seen declining listenership, membership, and income. WBAI has run a deficit for the past few years. The parent Pacifica Foundation underwrote our deficit for a while, but is no longer able to do so.
The independents believe management is responsible for WBAI's health. Our hope is that WBAI, under new management, will be once again become financially sustainable and draw listeners with excellent radical programming.
How bad is it?
Bad. The iceberg is in view. We're running out of money. We fell way behind on the rent, we had to lay off people, postpone bills, take loans, and consider mortgaging property. When we don't pay bills, we endanger our valuable assets, including our radio licenses. The only way out of this hole is for WBAI to bring in more money with higher listenership and better drives.
What's going to happen now?
Positive change is already happening! The latest fund drive was a much-needed success, thanks to better planning and improved staff morale. And WBAI is now broadcasting Democracy Now! live at 8 a.m. on weekdays. We look to further changes to increase listenership, improve programming, fix our problematic premium delivery, and bring further successful drives.
Why not move? Won't that save money?
Moving is often proposed as a "solution." But in fact we have a lease that goes through 2012. Moving would mean we'd have to cover costs of breaking the lease, moving, building a studio, and rent or mortgage on a new place. Thus moving is unlikely to save much if any money. That's why it hasn't happened.
The best - the only - solution for WBAI is to increase listenership, membership, and consequently income.
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