At 540 kHz from two towers on the south shore of New York’s Long Island, Radio Zindagi has targeted Indian and South Asian communities with in-language programming since its return to local radio in late December 2020. That transpired with its purchase by its current licensee — an entity the FCC found to have engaged in an unauthorized change of control.
Now, the matter is being resolved by way of a Consent Decree with the Audio Division Chief of the FCC’s Media Bureau.
Al Shuldiner on July 15 signed off on an Order that terminates the Commission’s investigation into Om Sai Broadcasting and its WBWD-AM in Islip, N.Y.
Om Sai paid $1.3 million for the station, formerly WLIE-AM, from Metro Mex USA. The agreement was signed off by Yash Pandya, who at the time was the 100% equity interest holder in Om Sai. This facilitated the placement of the regional Radio Zindagi operation on WBWD after it had exited WNYM-AM 740 in October 2020.
Following Om Sai’s purchase of WBWD, in September 2023, 50% of the voting and equity interest in the licensee was sold to Sejal Dasondi. However, Commission approval of this transfer was required beforehand, and a voluntary transfer application was not filed until January 2024.
To resolve the matter without culpability, the FCC and Om Sai moved forward with the Consent Decree. And, it sees Om Sai make a “voluntary contribution” of $10,000 to the U.S. Treasury.
