Michael Baisden Off the Air, Unable to Get a New Contract

Was WBLS' rejection the Beginning of the End for Baisden?

That's a good question to ask...Almost a year ago the demise of 98.7 Kiss FM occurred and the station became ESPN Radio. Some of the programs and hosts were picked up by 107.5 WBLS, the only Urban Adult station in New York City. WBLS however decided not to picked up The Michael Baisden Show and continued to air Jeff Foxx in the afternoons. Baisden fought hard to have his show aired on 'BLS to no avail.


During his efforts he slandered urban radio by incredulously saying to anyone that would listen "Buffoonery Over Activism: Do we really prefer music and jokes over content?"  He also went on to question African American audiences' ability to get to stories that matter (i.e. Trayvon Martin, Jena 6) if his show was no longer aired in New York City. His comments suggested that local media and hosts were incapable of doing the job.

Michael Baisden went to facebook to announce his departure from syndicated radio across the country this afternoon. He was unable to come to an agreement with Cumulus Media, the company that syndicates his program. The fact that his show no longer aired in New York City and most recently Philadelphia (another major market) contributed to the breakdown in Baisden getting a new contract.

Baisden said in an earlier post that he would be on the air until March 29th. However no multi-media company would ever give an outgoing radio host the opportunity to work up to the last day of a contract, especially when negotiations have broken off. For the time being, Cumulus will fulfill their committee to their affiliates and advertisers by broadcasting "Best of..." shows until the end of the month. What will happen after that is anyone's guess.


Michaels Baisden's statement from Facebook:
The Michael Baisden Show Staff has been "Locked Out" of Cumulus Studios...really Cumulus?

In the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all get along?" Just because we couldn't come to an agreement is no reason to deprive the listeners, our affiliates, and our advertisers of only 9 days to say goodbye and show our appreciation.

All their action does is make me more determined than ever to come back! And next time there will be no middlemen between me, my affiliates, and my listeners. Lesson learned!

Now it's time to get to work on the return of the Best Show On Radio... and I'll be kicking butt and taking names.

I'll miss you family, stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for my daily inspiration post and updates on the return of The MB Show! The journey continues!!!

~ Michael Baisden

P.S. You'll hear per-recorded shows through March 29th. Shame, Shame, Shame... but it is what it is, let's move on, we have lots of work to do!Michael Baisden Commentary: It’s Not About The Job It’s About The Journey (Yes, I'm leaving radio)