What would a Partnership between MNN and WBAI Look Like?

Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s executive director Dan Coughlin, has at various times offered partnership possibilities with WBAI/NY, a Pacifica radio station. Dan Coughlin had a long history at Pacifica, working at Democracy Now in its early years, then later as News Director at Pacifica, then as the day-to-day leadership of the Pacifica Campaign to End the Corporatization of the Network. Finally as Executive Director of Pacifica from 2002 to 2005. Coughlin was able to eliminate $2 million in debt during that time and get the network solvent.

The partnership most recently offered, in 2017, would have paid all of WBAI’s bills going forward, including an advance payment of $2 million dollars in rent to the Empire state building which was equal to the $1.8 Million court judgment at that time, and would have been a strong chip in negotiating with Empire State Reality Trust to forgive some or all of the past-due rent. MNN also offered to pay all of the bills of the station going forward. They also would have given WBAI its own cable TV channel to simulcast the stations programs. They made clear they wanted to keep most of the programs that the community loves, and dramatically shorten the fund drives. They would also have expanded the paid staff. This would be a limited term partnership and would return to Pacifica management at the end of the contracted period. Ownership would stay with Pacifica the entire time. In return, MNN would take over responsibility for management of the station. They would be doing this so they could fulfill their mission of community partnerships, and to strength their community profile. They too are facing challenges because of the expansion of the internet, the slow decline of cable TV and creation of internet networks such as Hulu, Netflix and others.