I've heard commercials on Pearl's low-power station for the True South golf tournament, a sign company in Pearl and the Mississippi Braves. In addition, I hear a number of PSAs. I get the PSAs, but are the other commercials they're running legal?
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Commercials on 104.5 the Pirate
- Thread starter the golden boy
- Start date
Depends. I don't have a firm grasp on what's permissible on LPFM but they can have underwriting announcements that allow a business to get exposure, as long as they don't cross some "sales" lines. It's possible they're out of compliance, though. Over here in Alabama we have a full power noncom in a very rural part of the state that is supposedly running full blown commercials and even syndicated commercial programming complete with the national ads… So anything is possible.
At least they're not 90.1 FM in Jackson - I listened to a single spot break this morning during Rip Daniels and heard at least three "FCC no-no" ad moments, all local spots that were very much commercials.
--- Casual Observer
--- Casual Observer
WMPR ususually has the disclaimer that says "XXXX is a proud underwriter" or similar announcement after the "commercial" The spot that I heard on 104.5 was for a local business and there no mention of the word "underwriter". WLEZ also advertises for local businesses but ususally says "underwriter"
The last time I was in north Mississippi around Iuka, I heard a station on 91.9 that sounded just like a commercial station. The FCC must have other things too do. I'm surprised the other stations don't complain about it.
The last time I was in north Mississippi around Iuka, I heard a station on 91.9 that sounded just like a commercial station. The FCC must have other things too do. I'm surprised the other stations don't complain about it.
My understanding is that LPFMs must be non-comm. Also by my understanding, a spot on a non-comm can include anything except a "call to action." In other words you can't say "visit Ray-Ray's Wing Shack for the great wings" but you could say something like "Ray-Ray's Wing Shack has great wings. Ray-Ray's is located at 123 Main Street and their phone number is 555-1234."
And yes the FCC probably isn't too worried. They're too busy auctioning off the public safety band to large corporations for wireless Internet access.
And yes the FCC probably isn't too worried. They're too busy auctioning off the public safety band to large corporations for wireless Internet access.
Next time I hear a spot, I listen out for the wording.
If I'm not mistaken, whether LPFM or not, the rules regarding underwriting ads on non-comm radio can be described in the simplest form as:
1) No superlatives. (The BEST in town! The TASTIEST burgers!) Some argue that this includes phrases like "The OLDEST bank in town." Phrases like "a variety of" are okay (?), and I believe it would be fine to say "Anytown Bank was founded in 1863... but I'm not sure about that.
2) No promotion of sales or other incentives.
3) No call to action. "Give them a call at...." is illegal. "Their telephone number is..." is okay. Same concept with "Go see them today!" and a simple acknowledgment of address, website address, etc.
Of course, I only played around in commercial radio, and these rules have been tweaked at times, so I could be a bit off. I've even heard some NPR announcements that seemed to be REALLY close to the line.
1) No superlatives. (The BEST in town! The TASTIEST burgers!) Some argue that this includes phrases like "The OLDEST bank in town." Phrases like "a variety of" are okay (?), and I believe it would be fine to say "Anytown Bank was founded in 1863... but I'm not sure about that.
2) No promotion of sales or other incentives.
3) No call to action. "Give them a call at...." is illegal. "Their telephone number is..." is okay. Same concept with "Go see them today!" and a simple acknowledgment of address, website address, etc.
Of course, I only played around in commercial radio, and these rules have been tweaked at times, so I could be a bit off. I've even heard some NPR announcements that seemed to be REALLY close to the line.
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