MN December 5, 2017, Nevaerveegtorccs toe Pacifica Foundation Interim Executive Pacifica Foundation National Board 1925 Marti, Luther King I. Way Berkeley, CA 94708 irector Bill Crosier - ‘Dear Pacifica Foundation Interim Executive Director Bill Crosir andthe Pacifica Foundation National Board, ‘Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MINN) responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) from Pacifica Foundation Radio in November 2013 for qualified groups to eter into a Public Service Operating Agreement (PSOA) for programming and supporting the ‘operations of noncommercial FM station WBAI, 99.5 MHz, New York, For those urfamilar with MNN, we ate «25-year-old community media institution that offers media education classes to Manhattan residents and operates the public-access cable TV stations serving Manhattan cable TV subscribers. We operate out of two state- of-the-art media facilites -one in El Barrio/East Harlem and one on Manhattan's West Side. Our funding comes directly from agreements with Manhatten cable operators, including Charter, Verizon and RCN, These agreements are entered into atthe time cable ‘TV Franchise Agreements are awarded to media companies by the City of New York MNN is paid on a per subscriber basis. MNN’s mission isto enhence media diversity and localism. MNN is nota government agency, ora subsidiary of a able company. We are & private, nonprofit 501(€)() corporation with an independent boerd, | am writing today to reaffinm and update MNN’s interest in entering into an agreement ‘with Pacifica-WBAI 99.5 MHz in the form of a PSOA. We believe this to be a bold, imaginativeand a finencally viable mission-driven multimedia model that would create agrowth and opportunity for both institutions. The arrangement would leverage each partes’ unique local character while taking advantage OF integrating our distribution ‘models (radio, cable TV, and digital) to grow audience, build engagement, increase impact and ensure financial stability While the synergy ereated by such a PSOA imagines a new and robust community media ‘model fr the digital age, it has the added benefit from Pacifica’s point of view of | immediately addressing the costs that are eating into WBAI finazcially and stopping the drain on Pacifica’s limited resources. ‘As par of amutually agreeable PSOA, MN would be in a finaneial position to satisfy future expenses elated to the Empire State Building transmitter during the term of such an agreement, including prepayments. MNN would invest in the necessary maintenance 597 West 58:h Strwet Now York, NY 10018 - phone. 212-757-2870 fax 212-757-1803 ww mnnorg 2ofthe transmitter to ensure a robust, high quality broadcast signal reaching the maximum audience possible, Further, MNN would invest significant resources to enhance and develop WBAT's ‘existing programming and fundraising efforts by adding new positions and social media support in order to develop and promote shows, build audience and expand the donor base. All ofthis, of course. is subject to MINN’s due diligence, a review ofall necessary accounts, contracts, leases and livenses, and the parties entering into a satisfactory PSOA. MNN would preserve and enfance WBAAI’s historically independent, social-change- focused and culturally diverse programming, and would seek to strengthen the existing brand and mission of WBAL 99.5 FM and Pacifica Radio, MNN envisions a future for community media that embraces new digital technologies and accepts the challenge to expand the universe of nonprofit and non-commercial media This combining of forces would help ensure that non-commercial community media ia ‘New York City not only stays alive but thrives in the years ahead. The key elements of the MNN proposal include: + MINN would house, operate and broadcast WBAI 99.5FM from one or both of MNN’s Manhattan-based state-of: the-art HD studios and produetion facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. + MN would assume all WBAI current operating costs, including transmitter expenses, program & development costs, cental service expenses, and staf salaries and benefits from the date the PSOA becomes effective. + MNN would invest in WBAI programming and development efforts, including adding new staff positions, in order to rebuild audience and to atuact a sustainable fundraising base. Such initiatives would inelude: Dramatically limiting on-air fundraising consistent with non-profit ‘broadcasting best practices to ensure less disruption to regular WAL ‘programming and to rebuild audience fora day-parts Y Launching robust off-air fundraising initiatives consistent with non-prefit ‘broadcasting best practices and new digital opportunities; ¥_ Simulcasting WBAI 99.5 FM on one of MNN's available cable TV channels in Manhattan so as to create a WBAL-branded cable TV channel for distribution in NYC and globally, thus dramatically expanding \WBAI’s media presence and fundraising opportunities. (MINN has the facilities and spare cable TV capacity for such an initiative.) Developing plans to strengthen WBAI 99.5 FM's transmitter and launch @ WBAL 99.5 FM HD Radio; Offering WBAI producers media and technical skills training in new ‘communications technologies and systems. ‘+ Build program partnerships with mission-aligned and values-aligned non-profit ‘media organizations to strengthen and proliferate WBA and Pacifica content ‘across multiple platforms. One example isthe longstanding partnership betweenMNN and the non-profit satellite broadcaster Free Speech TV (FSTV). These two institutions have developed, facilitated or distributed video productions of| Pacifica Radio programs such as Democracy Now!, Rising Up and Economie Update. These shows are all cablecast locally on MNN and broadcast nationally {0 30 million houscholds via FSTV on direct broadcast satellite systems. In sum, MNN is uniquely positioned to work with Pacifica-WBAI 99.5 FM, whose illustrious history is synonymous with euting-edge media, local programming and a diversity of views. MNN brings 5 years of concrete experience serving diverse communities and running seven cablecas channels here in New York City. We have grown tremendously over the last ten years, tipling our core media education and production services and adding a new 10,000-sq, ft. state-of-the-art community media facility in East Harlen/E Bari. MNN's strong organic relationships wit the communities that we seve i reflected in the diversity atall levels of our organization, mirroring the gorgeous moseic of New York City. In sim, MNN has the technical expertise, the broadcast facilities in wo convenient Manhattan locations, the training opportunites, the financial capacity, the ‘community rocts and the programming experience to successfully operate WBAI, 99.5, Miz, and expand the universe of non-commercial, locally-based media. | ook forward to discussing this proposal futher and to see if we can develop a meeting ‘of the minds that can ripen into a writen PSOA agreement. Ifyou have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out Sincerely, Ss. OM Lx y' Dan Coughlin President & CEO ce: WBAI GM Berthold Reimers Local Station Board Chair Bob Young.