FCC Commercial Radio Policy Suggested Rule Change
Springfield Massachusetts' AM radio station WNNZ 640 AM; owned by Clear Channel Broaadcasting (CC Licenses LLC Tulsa Oklahoma) has changed its commercial radio programming content to an all day 24/7 format entirely consisting of NPR programming. This deprives the Springfield Massachusetts area of comercial radio diversity; and has cancelled the option of sports talk programming such as "THE ZONE"; and the New York Yankees commercial radion broadcasts in the listening area.
At the present time, the FCC policy does not recognize evidently a programming change by a station owner including re-leasing; which converts the station entirely to a non-commercial medium; as a station transfer. The action shorts the local market of commercial outlets; shrinking advertising revenuse and truncating radio programming diversity. NPR is already broadcast at priem morning midday and evening newstimes in the area on 88.5 FM WFCR in Amherst Massachusetts with a clear signal. 88.5 WFCR is public radio (using a lessee arrangement with Clear Channel) but entirely subscription supported.
WNNZ wwill allegedly continue sports shows such as the Springfield AHL Falcons but little more.
As the law is reviewed, this blogger intends to push for a new FCC rule which would require a programming content change which becomes non-commercial, to act as a cancellation of a commercial license and require the FCC to place the station frequency out for bid; or the station licensee to return to commercial programming.
An elimination of private profit making revenues saps taxes and draws a station's dependence to the US Treasury. Further, a corporation should not be allowed to cheaply hold out a station from commercial use by tendering it to non-commercial programming; and that includes 'stacking' public affairs programming by a handful of forfeited to non-commercial radio stations (like WNNZ's NPR format).
As this blogger would propose: When a radio or television station licensee alters the content of any broadcast programming to a format which eliminates materially, radio and tv advertising; and/or to serve as a platform for public radio or television; the FCC with a market minimum expectancy and sufficiency review before acting; shall revoke the license and place the station for license re-bid in the private sector. This action to be taken whether the broadcaster is a profit making; non-profit; private, public or educational institution owner.
Further damage now is done to the fine audience of WFCR in taking listeners away from a fine public broadcasting educational institutions' mix of fine music and NPR & public affairs programming. (WFCR is Five Colleges Radio http://www.wfcr.org)
At the present time, the FCC policy does not recognize evidently a programming change by a station owner including re-leasing; which converts the station entirely to a non-commercial medium; as a station transfer. The action shorts the local market of commercial outlets; shrinking advertising revenuse and truncating radio programming diversity. NPR is already broadcast at priem morning midday and evening newstimes in the area on 88.5 FM WFCR in Amherst Massachusetts with a clear signal. 88.5 WFCR is public radio (using a lessee arrangement with Clear Channel) but entirely subscription supported.
WNNZ wwill allegedly continue sports shows such as the Springfield AHL Falcons but little more.
As the law is reviewed, this blogger intends to push for a new FCC rule which would require a programming content change which becomes non-commercial, to act as a cancellation of a commercial license and require the FCC to place the station frequency out for bid; or the station licensee to return to commercial programming.
An elimination of private profit making revenues saps taxes and draws a station's dependence to the US Treasury. Further, a corporation should not be allowed to cheaply hold out a station from commercial use by tendering it to non-commercial programming; and that includes 'stacking' public affairs programming by a handful of forfeited to non-commercial radio stations (like WNNZ's NPR format).
As this blogger would propose: When a radio or television station licensee alters the content of any broadcast programming to a format which eliminates materially, radio and tv advertising; and/or to serve as a platform for public radio or television; the FCC with a market minimum expectancy and sufficiency review before acting; shall revoke the license and place the station for license re-bid in the private sector. This action to be taken whether the broadcaster is a profit making; non-profit; private, public or educational institution owner.
Further damage now is done to the fine audience of WFCR in taking listeners away from a fine public broadcasting educational institutions' mix of fine music and NPR & public affairs programming. (WFCR is Five Colleges Radio http://www.wfcr.org)
posted by scotty of course at 2:23 PM
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