When did WBAI first begin broadcasting under its original call letters?
WBAI began broadcasting in 1941 with the call letters W75NY. The station operated on an eastern frequency before shifting to 99.5 MHz in 1947.
Questions about WBAI
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who purchased WBAI and converted it into a non-commercial operation?
Philanthropist Louis Schweitzer purchased WBAI in 1960. He then donated the facility to the Pacifica Foundation, converting it into a listener-supported non-commercial operation.
What major legal case involving WBAI reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1978?
The United States Supreme Court decided FCC v. Pacifica Foundation against WBAI in 1978. The court ruled five-to-four against the station regarding censorship of George Carlin's Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television monologue broadcast in 1973.
Why was WBAI forced to sell its church location in March 1977?
The City Tax Commission denied WBAI's claim of exemption from New York City real estate taxes as an educational institution in March 1977. This ruling forced the station to sell the former church on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to pay back taxes.
When did the Christmas Coup occur at WBAI and who led the faction involved?
The Christmas Coup occurred in December 2000 when a faction led by Utrice Leid padlocked the station and took control of the airwaves. This event initiated an intense battle between various factions inside and outside the station with The Pacifica Foundation.