By Kimberly C. Roberts of the Philadelphia Tribune
As of January 7, the syndicated “Michael Baisden Show” has been dropped from the 3-7 p.m. weekday slot on WDAS FM radio, causing an uproar from fans of the music and talk show.
“I can confirm that Michael Baisden is off the air as of Monday,” said Loraine Ballard Morrill, news and community affairs director at Clear Channel Media + Entertainment in a written statement. “WDAS had dedicated the last five decades to providing our listeners the music and community engagement they love and have come to rely on, whether through a nationally syndicated show or a local produced program. We want to express our appreciation to Michael Baisden and Cumulus for their dedicated years of service to WDAS and the City of Philadelphia. We are tremendously excited that afternoons will continue to offer Philly’s Best R&B and the community outreach that has been a signature of WDAS FM.”
When questioned about a statement made on-air on WDAS AM that the plug was pulled on Baisden’s show because his contract had not been renewed due to less than impressive ratings, Morrill responded, “I don’t have any knowledge of any contractual agreements, but I can confirm that WDAS has decided to go in a different direction at this time.”
A post on the website RadioDiscussions.com on Jan. 9 stated: “To my listeners on WDAS in Philadelphia, when you turn on your radio today at 3 p.m. ET, you will no longer hear the ‘Michael Baisden Show.’
“The powers that be at Clear Channel have decided that music is enough in the afternoon to achieve their ratings goals,” the statement said. “Although we were consistently in the top five and beating our nearest Urban Adult competitor by 10 positions, the decision was made to remove the ‘Michael Baisden Show.’ While I am excited about adding Columbus, Ohio last week, and I appreciate my other 78 affiliates, there seems to be a disturbing trend in urban radio to opt to give the black community less information about what’s going on in our community, even when my program is competitive, and in some cases, winning in its time slot.”
Contact Entertainment Reporter Kimberly C. Roberts at (215) 893-5753 or kroberts@phillytrib.com.
iam going to miss him so so much so where can I here from him now and wdas what the hell I have be a fan of wdas for 20 years and for yall to take him off it just hurt. so how do I get to here him now let me know may G0d keep and Bless him in what he is going to get in to love him Michael BAISDEN.
wow. you can say what you want, but michael baisden kept you informed on black issues.that you don’t get on local news or on b.e.t.his show gave you some balance,, music, news, no topics were off limints,, everything , now is music, music,, oh well,, that’s how they want us,, un informed, on things important to us..keep em laugh, n.