FCC Hearings About Ownership Rules

[mhsbroncos2005]

I know we are making a stink about how bad localism and the lost of our best radio DJ's have become over the last five or six years and I know a lot of us are getting turned off because of the bad quality of radio. I am really hating the picture that is being painted right now because I am a Communications Major in college and the way radio is going by firing everyone (I use this as a broader way to paint the picture even though some have hired well for positions).

To get to the point is that at this time I am sure we all know at least some part of what the FCC is reviewing at ownership rules. I think that most of the current FCC board realize that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the biggest mistake ever in radio ever. I think so as it is. That act has killed more jobs then created jobs thanks to esp companies like CC, Cox, CBS Radio, Cumulus, and a few others along the way. If you look at it now Jacksonville has taken a hard hit as to finding something that is good in quality as a radio station with localism. Those that come close are prob the ones over at the Renda cluster (esp WEJZ and WGNE...I know WMUV is establishing itself) and Cox's WAPE. I hate to admit CC really is crap when it comes to localism and programming a station to a particular area. Instead we get shoved with this "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" crap and you know why people are turning to the iPod and Satellite Radio. Its sad state to be in to see that after 10 years of this crap the FCC realizes this is the wrong thing

Now I would love everyone to share their opinions about this because I know what ever the final outcome of these hearings are will def change radio again.

Now what I would like to see is maybe in markets where you have at least 20 stations or more operating like Jacksonville is to see it reduced down to a 2/1 deal as in if you own two stations one spectrum then only one on the other. For example say if I owned WEJZ and WGNE on the FM then I could only own say like WZAZ on the AM. This would def creat some competition and I know that local operators would be created out of this. Also another thing is that you cannot own two stations of the same format (I know PIE IN THE SKY with that one). I def hope in the end of this that CC and Cox are forced to sell of stations to others esp local people who are so desired to take over to make a great radio station. I for myself would def own one if I could.

Let's talk about this...This is America...It's Our Airwaves.....Let's make them better and bring it back to pre-1996.

 

[Tibbs4]

Can I borrow roughly 28 billion, mburg--err mhsbroncos? Add an extra $500 mil and we can try to fix the
Gator! ;D Seriously, glad you're doing well, down there!

 

[mhsbroncos2005]

Thanks....its all going well down here except a lot of these stations could care less about us.

 

[redneckriviera]

Tibbs, if you get that $500 million loan, will you hire me as your chauffeur?

Re ownership rules... if one is not pleased with the current state of affairs, one will most likely have to wait for another administration and a different set of commissioners. Remember that what triggered this latest round was a Clear Channel request to further loosen ownership caps, so their likely response to the public outcry may be to simply forgo such action. But, generally, they're an anti-regulation bunch. No rules is good rules.

Should the Dems win back the White House in '08, we could see a move back toward more regulation. Re-regulation. The Big Stick could surface, again--forcing divestiture. Over the past 100+ years we've seen the pendulum swing both directions, even in radio. Back in the thirties, AM duopoly was common--Crosley owned everything worth a spit in Cincy, I believe--and, of course, 700/WLW ran 500,000 watts. Rules & regs get changed. Don't be shocked to see them changed again. But not until the faces on the commission change.