Off the Hook (radio program)
| Genre | Talk radio, current affairs |
|---|---|
| Running time | 60 min. |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | WBAI |
| Hosted by | Emmanuel Goldstein |
| Starring | Various panelists |
| Created by | Emmanuel Goldstein |
| Recording studio | New York City, New York |
| Original release | 1988 – present |
| Audio format | Stereophonic |
| Opening theme | "Much Worse" (Extended Mix) by Big Audio Dynamite |
| Website | www |
| Podcast | high-fidelity feed |
Off the Hook is a hacker-oriented weekly talk radio program, hosted by Emmanuel Goldstein, which focuses on the societal ramifications of information technology and the laws that regulate how people use them. It airs Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time in New York City on the community radio station WBAI 99.5 FM. It is also simulcast online via streaming MP3, rebroadcast on various other radio stations, and has been made available as a podcast (since long before that term was coined).
Off the Hook first aired on Thursday, October 7, 1988. It was originally set to debut Friday, August 12, 1988, but a fire on the radio transmitter floor of the Empire State Building forced a postponement.
Some notable events in the program's history include:
On November 13, 2012, it was announced that "Off the Hook" was possibly facing conclusion due to "2600"'s frustration with WBAI, as well as difficulty accessing the studio and its resources in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. However, new episodes have continued airing over WBAI.
After a quick presentation of the panelist(s) or on-air guest(s), the radio show normally starts with a report and discussion of the previous week's most interesting hacker, technology, and activist related news. Sometimes, it also features an interview with external guests.
Toward the end of the program, Goldstein often reads listener e-mails and/or takes listener phone calls, time providing.
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