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Group wants to deny renewal of WGBH-FM license because...

gsheene GRE

The FCC is gutless. Ajit Pai pursues his political agenda for the benefit of his friends like Armstrong Williams' financial dealings.
At least the CRTC and OFCOM have some teeth. All the FCC does is rubber stamp things and occasionally levy a weak fine which is appealed and reduced.
 
TheBigA said:
The FCC will say: "OK, you've expressed your opinion. Thank you very much." And approve the renewal.
Click to expand...

The important quote in this whole article is:

Jack Bernstein, CCA’s co-founder, told the Globe that he expects the requests to be turned down, but he and his supporters still hope WGBH will reconsider the current music programming options.
 
Wimmmex said:
The important quote in this whole article is:

Jack Bernstein, CCA’s co-founder, told the Globe that he expects the requests to be turned down, but he and his supporters still hope WGBH will reconsider the current music programming options.
Click to expand...

I agree. We call this a nuisance lawsuit. If CCA loses, they should be forced to make a big donation to WGBH.

WGBH has gone way beyond its responsibilities as a licensee to ensure that classical music is still available in Boston. No other station would have spent money to preserve its former format. WNYC did the exact same thing in New York.
 
I would assume it's not Classical music this group wants to see restored, but Jazz, Folk and other non-commercial offerings. Let's remember that when WGBH-FM first went News-Talk in the daytime, they were still airing Jazz most evenings and overnights as well as other music on weekends, while 99.5 WCRB became a fulltime non-commercial Classical outlet.

I'm still not sure why WGBH airs Public Radio Remix on Mon.-Thurs. overnights, since WBUR does too, seven nights a week. WGBH still has Jazz on Fri., Sat. and Sun. nights. So why not keep the Jazz on other overnights? It's hardly an expense since they carry the syndicated Jazz with Bob Parolta that some NPR stations air. WGBH does have a local Jazz program before Midnight on weekends.

Several university-owned stations in Boston (Harvard, MIT, U Mass, Emerson, Boston College) have programs featuring Jazz, Folk, Blues, etc. But they don't have WGBH's 100,000 watts.
 
Jazz-blues-folk publicity woman Sue Auclair sent out a press release about this, including all the programs WGBH removed to make room for news-talk. Yeah it would be nice for 'GBH to bring them back but even in "Public" radio, Mrs Carlson's statement in the first episode of WKRP holds true; Young man this radio station is a business. It is not here for your personal listening pleasure.
Yes even though "non commercial" the powers that be at WGBH want to do best by their listeners, "members", corporate donors, and other funders. They determined news-talk was the way to go, even if it means duplicating WBUR's programming. Sure it would be nice to have these types of music but WGBH is doing what they think must be done and again the FCC does not step in regarding format. Let the marketplace decide.

"Gee I wish classical music was back on 102.5; I don't like country. I'm going to challenge their FCC license."

Go ahead, see if you win...
 
WGBH puts the 99.5 classical music signal on HD-2 which is good for those to the west and south. Now maybe if they put the jazz and folk on the HD-3, we could end up with a boost for both the music programs and HD :)
 
Right now (Sat 4 pm) it does sound like GBH has folk on (Celtic Sojourn).HD 2 has WCRB and I think the HD3 does Cape and Islands public radio...as for WCRB 99.5 do they have an HD2 or HD3? Don't think they do..and I'm using an HD portable in N Reading, not far from the WCRB stick in Andover ...they could put folk, blues etc on a 99.5 HD 2 or 3, not that everyone could get it.WZLX HD 2 is blues...WUMB has some folk and AAA
(and Sat nite blues w Holly Harris)
 
Someone should tell them the 1960's was 50 years ago and Joan Baez is 73.


Gregg. said:
I would assume it's not Classical music this group wants to see restored, but Jazz, Folk and other non-commercial offerings. Let's remember that when WGBH-FM first went News-Talk in the daytime, they were still airing Jazz most evenings and overnights as well as other music on weekends, while 99.5 WCRB became a fulltime non-commercial Classical outlet.

I'm still not sure why WGBH airs Public Radio Remix on Mon.-Thurs. overnights, since WBUR does too, seven nights a week. WGBH still has Jazz on Fri., Sat. and Sun. nights. So why not keep the Jazz on other overnights? It's hardly an expense since they carry the syndicated Jazz with Bob Parolta that some NPR stations air. WGBH does have a local Jazz program before Midnight on weekends.

Several university-owned stations in Boston (Harvard, MIT, U Mass, Emerson, Boston College) have programs featuring Jazz, Folk, Blues, etc. But they don't have WGBH's 100,000 watts.
Click to expand...
 
>>Someone should tell them the 1960's was 50 years ago and Joan Baez is 73.

Yes; at one point the folkie fans of the 60s, etc, were a prime target for giving to 'GBH (maybe in some ways they still can be) and the TV side of the operation put out pledge drive shows like "Simon & Garfunkel reunion in Central Park" and "The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time!", the latter spoofed in some ways by the film comedy A Mighty Wind. The same audience I see now at folk coffeehouses like one I go to up in Essex--I'm 52 and one of the youngest in the room (got same feeling early last Sun at McDonald's...that coffee!) But maybe the times they are a changin', so goodnight Irene, we'll see you in our dreams.
 
short of a major screw up, as in multiple NOAL's, NOV's, failure to keep a public inspection file, EAS record keeping and equipment deficiencies, EEO reporting, etc, they are going to get their licensed renewed, and with the MA congressional delegation having WGBH bumper stickers on their cars do you think the FCC is going to give this any consideration? As a matter of policy the FCC does not get involved with programming


Cripes they won't touch the pirate on 106.1 due to the Boston Globe and every politician inside of 128 singing their praises
 
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Agreed! And why would 'GBH want to mess with what's working for them? From http://www.bostonradiowatch.com :

>>WGBH 89.7 earned a 3.0 share in January ratings, the station’s highest monthly market share on record and 76.5 percent larger than January 2011, the first January on record following WGBH’s format change to local news talk and analysis. WGBH for the first time joined the ranks of the top 15 radio stations in Boston...From WGBH's press release : "... In January, Boston Public Radio was the most listened to midday public radio program."
 
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