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Commercial vs. Educational Licensing

C

cquam1580

Guest
Is there a benefit to a college station to be licensed as a commercial station or do the benefits of being an educational station outweigh a commercial license? I've noticed ther are both flavors of college stations and am wondering why the choices were made.
Thanks!
Cquam
 
cquam said:
Is there a benefit to a college station to be licensed as a commercial station or do the benefits of being an educational station outweigh a commercial license? I've noticed ther are both flavors of college stations and am wondering why the choices were made.
Thanks!
Cquam
Click to expand...
Most of the commercial stations are legacy licensees, and many are independent of their schools, with a private company or foundation owning them. It would be very difficult in today's landscape for a school to get a commercial license, unless it were donated to them. The price tags of most stations would likely not be feasible for schools to own a station. The NCE license is what most schools have. No FCC fees, no taxes, more in line with a schools mission, etc. are some of the reasons. Even then, the competition for a new license is fierce!
 
stations that are commercially licensed will have an easier time selling air time for sponsors/ads and will legaly be able to run ads
 
Stations with an educational license can get GRANTS, and be underwritten by businesses without any problem. I agree that it would be very difficult in today's landscape for a school to get a commercial license.

In 1970. I wrote a hundred and 5 thousand dollar grant for an educational station that came from a VERY RICH foundation.

Also, the fcc often "looks the other way" for most educational station tech violations for which a commercial broadcaster would be FINED LARGE.
 
The biggest problem with being a commercial station is the almost daily offers to buy it for millions of dollars. Very difficult not to sell.
 
Wrong! Most offers are way low. Have you read the Wall Street Journal lately? Actually, it's very difficult to get a proper offer.
 
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