While listening to an HD2 local channel that broadcasts a national feed [won't say who] definitely heard the "F" bomb dropped during a song. I'm assuming the FCC rules are the same for HD2 or 3 or 4 when it comes to profanity or am I mistaken? Or do they figure there's like only 3 half-deaf people listening to HD so who cares what they say?
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Profanity on HD 2 or 3 channels
- Thread starter Yabadabado1
- Start date
Given that HD Radio isn't as widely adopted as you might think - arguably, I haven't fully checked out my new car's sound system to see if it even came with HD Radio, but it is a 2025, so you'd think it should be there - and, if there's not a translator that gives it an OTA frequency somewhere, the rules might not be as strict.
Then again, there are SXM channels that have no language filters, but are tagged "XL" for explicit language, so who knows?
Then again, there are SXM channels that have no language filters, but are tagged "XL" for explicit language, so who knows?
HD channels are subject to the government's broadcast profanity rules. Do they still make sense when the president and numerous lawmakers are routinely using the same words that are supposed to be banned, everywhere from the oval office to public discourse? Rules for thee but not for me... again, as usual.
Keep in mind that the FCC doesn't listen to any signals to see if profanity is being carried. Though the penalties are somewhat stiff, somebody has to complain about the profanity before the FCC looks into the matter. If HD2, 3, and 4 channels are not using translators to get their signals OTA, then the likelihood is that the chances of being reported are a lot slimmer.
I just got a new car and was surprised to learn that it DID pick up HD 2 or 3 channels. All I can tell from it that they're not as loud as the main channel stations and there appears to be more dropouts just while driving around in certain areas.
Oh, I know they aren't listening. And I know it takes a listener to gripe about it to the FCC. Strangely enough, I heard a song on 91.3 the Summit's main channel that dropped one of the "seven naughty" words a week or two ago. I figured someone grabbed the unedited file off the computer cause I know I've heard the edited version on there before. Just find it strange that they're not even allowed to say the band name "Butthole Surfers". I was thinking just use another name: Back Door Surfers, Chocolate Starfish Surfers, Rear End Surfers, Sphincter Surfers.......I could go on.
The best one, that I've actually heard, and said myself, is B.H. Surfers. I even remember a host on WMMS say B.H. Surfers, although he said the full name immediately after. Most likely the song that was played on 91.3 was "Pepper", their one big hit from 1995 although they have other, good, accessible tunes from that era even though a lot of their music is underground and inaccessible.
I mentioned this in another thread, but my 2026 GM car with the highline AKG sound system does NOT tune HD. Was told by GM they dropped it due to lack of demand and added Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Guess HD is already gone the way of CD players.
BTW, while I found some external CD players I could get if so motivated, I could not find anything like an HD converter or adapter, other than an entire radio.
HD Radio adoption was hampered by many factors. It didn't help that it used a proprietary system that manufactures had to pay a licensing fee for, which is the reason why most capable HD Radios sold within the last decade are limited to high end units.
The biggest problem was timing. By the time HD Radio started to catch on, smart phones and streaming were rapidly taking hold. I'm actually surprised that GM kept HD Radio as an option for so long, though the last thing I would want in my car is a full color touch screen computer that handles everything, and would cost $5,000 to repair/replace should something ever goes wrong with it.
Butthole, as in Butthole Surfers (which is the official band's name, by the way) has never been considered, as far as I know, a banned word by the FCC. And it certainly wasn't one of the seven dirty words that the late George Carlin used in his commedy routine of the same name.
Yes, but I guess it's up to station management to decide what band names they'd want mentioned on their airwaves. I can think of plenty of others that probably would never get a mention on ANY stations airwaves......unless it's a pirate station.
Now if I heard that I"d be thinking "Beverly Hills?"
And I can't remember how Casey Kasem handled it when Butthole Surfers made AT40 with "Pepper". Anybody?
As stated earlier, HD Channels follow the same FCC Rules on content as analog signals. If a complaint was filed, the FCC would investigate. It matters not if it was broadcast on a network the station carried. If it aired on your station, you're responsible. For example, when the Janet Jackson 'flash' aired, the FCC did not go after the network, but fined th affiliates that broadcast it.
I don't understand why they didn't or don't do a 7 second delay on those live shows. Heck, if the award shows have a delay for some of the crap the presenters spew----sometimes by accident-----those big halftime Stupid Bowel shows should have one because they're dealing with basically entertainers that aren't known for their decorum. My only response when Janet flashed her boobie was "Gee, it's looks like the weather's a bit nipply in Houston tonight."
Wonder if anyone that was a kid from that time 22 years ago are still having "nipple nightmares" about it and even get upset looking at a chicken breast.
When "Me So Horny" by 2-Live Crew hit the Top 40 in 1989, the name of the song was just not mentioned. Given that, it's probable that Casey just mentioned the name of the song.
K.M. Richards
Program Director, The Eighties Channel™
You do realize that your absurd typo at the very end gave me a big laugh, John ... 🤪