CUMULUS SHUT DOWN IN LOUISVILLE?

[Bengalsfan]

Bob: I believe the rule is more like the following:
If your station goes silent, you have a week to notify the FCC.
If the station does not return to the air within one year after notifying the FCC, you forfeit the license.

Close. Pursuant to Section 73.1740 of the Commission's rules, broadcast stations may remain silent for up to 10 days without Commission authority. If the station is or will be silent for up to 30 days, the Commission must be notified (by letter) that the station is silent. If the station will be or has been silent for more than 30 days, the licensee must request an STA to remain silent.

However, the Commission can not grant an STA to remain silent unless the reason for the station's silence is beyond the control of the licensee. Pulling the plug because you were losing money on the stations is not an acceptable reason. Cumulus can drag this out as long as they want to. If the station stays off for a year without returning to the air, the license is cancelled and the station is deleted, however I have known some station owners to come back on for a day just to reset the clock.

 

[Kent]

However, the Commission can not grant an STA to remain silent unless the reason for the station's silence is beyond the control of the licensee. Pulling the plug because you were losing money on the stations is not an acceptable reason.

Not true. The FCC has granted remain silent STA's on the grounds of "financial performance issues" many times. I'm attaching a granted STA request from Clear Channel for that exact reason for your reference.

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...xt=25&appn=101289324&formid=910&fac_num=54624

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101394566&formid=910&fac_num=58380

 

[Bengalsfan]

made a "business decision" to take it off the air? Has the FCC ever denied an STA request before? I'd love to see them deny this one.

How is this in the public service, Mr Dickey?

The FCC sure has become a toothless tiger over the past 10-15 years. I bet if it was a problem with the EAS or public file at the station, they would be all over them with fines. But you make a "business decision" to take a station off the air and the FCC utters not a word.

 

[dfwrunner]

made a "business decision" to take it off the air? Has the FCC ever denied an STA request before? I'd love to see them deny this one.

How is this in the public service, Mr Dickey?

The FCC sure has become a toothless tiger over the past 10-15 years. I bet if it was a problem with the EAS or public file at the station, they would be all over them with fines. But you make a "business decision" to take a station off the air and the FCC utters not a word.

They seem like incompetent bankrupt hacks that can't run radio stations...why prolong the pain.

 

[Bengalsfan]

made a "business decision" to take it off the air? Has the FCC ever denied an STA request before? I'd love to see them deny this one.

How is this in the public service, Mr Dickey?

The FCC sure has become a toothless tiger over the past 10-15 years. I bet if it was a problem with the EAS or public file at the station, they would be all over them with fines. But you make a "business decision" to take a station off the air and the FCC utters not a word.

They seem like incompetent bankrupt hacks that can't run radio stations...why prolong the pain.

Don't really know what the FCC could do here legally. Force a sale for no more than what they paid for them?

It seems that licenses are not valuable assets anymore. They are commodities to be bought, sold and traded like a barrel of oil or bale of cotton. It used to be a source of honor and pride to hold one of these. But no more. A license is expendable. The NAB Code has been tossed on the trash heap. Serving the public is an after thought and done only when it's convenient. I guess it's a lot to expect from "broadcaster" who, in their irresponsible greed, over-leveraged their companies and now the listeners are left out in the cold. It's no surprise that listenership is down. Why listen to the same boring, canned, stale crap when there's satellite and internet broadcasting outlets? And the broadcaster who is trying to serve the public, can't catch a break from the FCC. Why, it's much more important for an entity 500 miles away to have an FM translator so they can import a station 1500 miles away instead of a local AM broadcaster with flea power at night to have one.

Broadcasting in this country has gotten so far out of whack in this country. In what world can owning 12 signals in a market properly serve the public. We were sold a bill of goods by the NAB when they pushed for ownership limits to be raised. The NAB has shown time and time again it will quickly sell out it's soul to the highest bidder.

 

[radiorob2.0]

made a "business decision" to take it off the air? Has the FCC ever denied an STA request before? I'd love to see them deny this one.

How is this in the public service, Mr Dickey?

The FCC sure has become a toothless tiger over the past 10-15 years. I bet if it was a problem with the EAS or public file at the station, they would be all over them with fines. But you make a "business decision" to take a station off the air and the FCC utters not a word.

They seem like incompetent bankrupt hacks that can't run radio stations...why prolong the pain.

Don't really know what the FCC could do here legally. Force a sale for no more than what they paid for them?

It seems that licenses are not valuable assets anymore. They are commodities to be bought, sold and traded like a barrel of oil or bale of cotton. It used to be a source of honor and pride to hold one of these. But no more. A license is expendable. The NAB Code has been tossed on the trash heap. Serving the public is an after thought and done only when it's convenient. I guess it's a lot to expect from "broadcaster" who, in their irresponsible greed, over-leveraged their companies and now the listeners are left out in the cold. It's no surprise that listenership is down. Why listen to the same boring, canned, stale crap when there's satellite and internet broadcasting outlets? And the broadcaster who is trying to serve the public, can't catch a break from the FCC. Why, it's much more important for an entity 500 miles away to have an FM translator so they can import a station 1500 miles away instead of a local AM broadcaster with flea power at night to have one.

Broadcasting in this country has gotten so far out of whack in this country. In what world can owning 12 signals in a market properly serve the public. We were sold a bill of goods by the NAB when they pushed for ownership limits to be raised. The NAB has shown time and time again it will quickly sell out it's soul to the highest bidder.

Radio has become a real life version of "The Lorax", a resource sucked dry while those responsible cash in their chips and move to the get rich quick scheme. Cumulus might be too late as they actually believe those two signals, no longer operating, are worth three million dollars.

Louisville is already a saturated market on the FM band. As much as we like to armchair quarterback on this board for the perfect format, nothing will yield a profitable result. Then there is 1450 that could find a niche as a Jeffersonville/Clarksville radio station. But those who have the heart to do so are prohibited by the over-inflated price of purchasing little more than a transmitter and government permission to operate that transmitter.

 

[gr8oldies]

On the other hand, how does handing those stations to 12 different owners who can barely afford to keep the place running with baling wire serve the public interest? Split that revenue 12 ways and everyone is broke.

 

[dfwrunner]

On the other hand, how does handing those stations to 12 different owners who can barely afford to keep the place running with baling wire serve the public interest? Split that revenue 12 ways and everyone is broke.

you can do great programming on a string budget...just stop listening to "consultants" and serve the local market.

 

[gr8oldies]

Assuming you can find people who'll work for mom and pop for minimum wage. You certainly wouldn't want to do any research since you should "just know" I take it.

 

[Bengalsfan]

On the other hand, how does handing those stations to 12 different owners who can barely afford to keep the place running with baling wire serve the public interest? Split that revenue 12 ways and everyone is broke.

you can do great programming on a string budget...just stop listening to "consultants" and serve the local market.

Consultants are a recent phenomenon. When I was on the air 30 years ago (damn!), I didn't hear about consultants. The <i>program director</i> programmed the station based on local tastes. I think that's one more piece to the puzzle as to the failure of radio. Owners stopped listening to the listeners and started listening to some cat out of New York. These stations could make money and be successful. But to do that, the new owner will need to think outside the box and do what's not being done in Louisville radio. Playing the same tired songs from a PC over and over with no personality ain't gonna cut it anymore. Give the people a reason to listen and they will come. Program it like every other station in town and you are pissing in the wind. Sports is worn out, conservative talk is saturated, liberal talk went down in flames. Find a format that nobody else is doing and do it better than anyone else. I have several ideas, but I'm not sharing them here so somebody else can take them and make money with it. :

 

[KyDXIn]

On the other hand, how does handing those stations to 12 different owners who can barely afford to keep the place running with baling wire serve the public interest? Split that revenue 12 ways and everyone is broke.

you can do great programming on a string budget...just stop listening to "consultants" and serve the local market.

Owners stopped listening to the listeners and started listening to some cat out of New York. These stations could make money and be successful. But to do that, the new owner will need to think outside the box and do what's not being done in Louisville radio. Playing the same tired songs from a PC over and over with no personality ain't gonna cut it anymore. Give the people a reason to listen and they will come. Program it like every other station in town and you are pissing in the wind. Sports is worn out, conservative talk is saturated, liberal talk went down in flames. Find a format that nobody else is doing and do it better than anyone else. I have several ideas, but I'm not sharing them here so somebody else can take them and make money with it. :

Would an all request statioon be successful? With e-mail and phones, it would be so easy to take requests.

 

[Bengalsfan]

On the other hand, how does handing those stations to 12 different owners who can barely afford to keep the place running with baling wire serve the public interest? Split that revenue 12 ways and everyone is broke.

you can do great programming on a string budget...just stop listening to "consultants" and serve the local market.

Owners stopped listening to the listeners and started listening to some cat out of New York. These stations could make money and be successful. But to do that, the new owner will need to think outside the box and do what's not being done in Louisville radio. Playing the same tired songs from a PC over and over with no personality ain't gonna cut it anymore. Give the people a reason to listen and they will come. Program it like every other station in town and you are pissing in the wind. Sports is worn out, conservative talk is saturated, liberal talk went down in flames. Find a format that nobody else is doing and do it better than anyone else. I have several ideas, but I'm not sharing them here so somebody else can take them and make money with it. :

Would an all request statioon be successful? With e-mail and phones, it would be so easy to take requests.

I think so. And there are so many more ways to connect with the listener now than just the phone. You have the email, plus all the social programs like Facebook and Twitter now. The problem is, it would cost money since the Scott Studios alone could not do it.

 

[The King Bee]

I agree with the posters that say our Northside (Southern Indiana) listeners are getting shorted when it comes to radio. The Smith brothers are doing their best with WNDA 1570/WTSZ 1600, and I respect them for their considerable investment in locally-owned and operated radio and TV. It's just that with the local channel and only 233w nights, they can only do so much on 1570 AM.

John, Jr.'s engineering skills and David's operational expertise keep the audio, video and production clean and legal...you'll never catch one of their stations out of licensed parameters! I don't work for them, by the way...just an impressed observer.

As far as consultants go, tread VERY carefully-don't make the mistake that Insight Cable did by engaging the kings of slash and burn, Frank Magid and Associates. Earlier this year, Magid recommended that Insight cut its award-winning in-house Louisville video production office down to a shell despite a full schedule of community programming that gave Insight value added and valuable potential ad avails.

Why? Because the sales department at Insight couldn't sell a furnace in Fairbanks in February...so, with typical corporate logic, they scapegoat the department that works, is productive, and filled the schedule with quality local programming. The community loses when short-sighted companies pay consultants to do all the thinking, instead of keeping a stake in the game.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

There was some speculation here that the Cumulus signals were either already sold and/or would be sold to a non-com entity soon. Anyone found anything to confirm or deny that theory?

 

[Bengalsfan]

John, Jr.'s engineering skills and David's operational expertise keep the audio, video and production clean and legal...you'll never catch one of their stations out of licensed parameters! I don't work for them, by the way...just an impressed observer.

KB, you might want to check the licensee of those stations. Pete Boyce would have a stroke if he saw this.

It's not the Smith brothers....it's brother. John Jr has nothing to do with that radio station or channel 9 or 24. It's all David.

 

[Bengalsfan]

There was some speculation here that the Cumulus signals were either already sold and/or would be sold to a non-com entity soon. Anyone found anything to confirm or deny that theory?

I have heard the WJIE folks are going to wind up with it. but nothing has been filed at the FCC yet.

 

[KyDXIn]

Has anyone heard a pretty strong signal for ESPN in the past 2 days at 101.5? I'm getting it very clearly jhere in Corydon, IN just before 1pm, but haven't been able to find the calls or location. Last night I googled it and thought it might be from St. Louis, but I can't believe a St. Louis station would be heard here now.

 

[scanman1809]

Has anyone heard a pretty strong signal for ESPN in the past 2 days at 101.5? I'm getting it very clearly jhere in Corydon, IN just before 1pm, but haven't been able to find the calls or location. Last night I googled it and thought it might be from St. Louis, but I can't believe a St. Louis station would be heard here now.

You are probably receiving WTHX-FM 101.5 from Vine Grove, KY. It serves the Elizabethtown, KY market.

 

[almaniac27]

I was listening to the Reds game today and heard Marty mention a new affiliate. I wasn't listening very closely, but I think it was WOCC 1550, can anyone confirm this? If that's true, the Reds went from a marginal signal at 1450 to a practically nonexistent one at 1550, that runs only 6 watts at night from Corydon. This can't be the new Louisville affiliate, I assume they're still working on that.