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HD Subchannel / Programming Question

M

MoldaMania182

Granted I made this assumption on logical sense, but what are the decency rules for HD2 and 3? I assumed it was the same as HD1/main channel. Is that not the case?

Hot Wired (WRDW-HD2) I noticed was running the unedited/explicit version of David Guetta's "Memories" all afternoon today.

(Yes I realize too few people are listening to care, just wondering)
 
thataveragejoe said:
Granted I made this assumption on logical sense, but what are the decency rules for HD2 and 3? I assumed it was the same as HD1/main channel. Is that not the case?

Hot Wired (WRDW-HD2) I noticed was running the unedited/explicit version of David Guetta's "Memories" all afternoon today.

(Yes I realize too few people are listening to care, just wondering)
Click to expand...

One way to find out would be to notify the FCC and see how the Enforcement Bureau responds.

If the FCC considers HD2 and HD3 channels to be exempt from the same programming rules that govern the main channel (on the basis that these are secondary services like SCA) then I see no reason why analog translators should allowed to carry them as primaries.
 
I'd think that the subchannels would be subject to the same decency standards as the main channels or SCAs or anything else in the broadcast band.

After checking the lyrics to the song, yeah I'd definitely say someone screwed up airing that in afternoons.
 
I'd suggest reporting it to the PD.

I heard that same song in regular rotation on WRDW-HD1, no s-word.
 
IIRC obscenity laws are enforced when people call in to complain. If you need an HD radio to hear it that would explain why they haven't received any calls.

If the f-bomb is dropped and no one hears it is it still the FCC's problem?

I'd think in the case of -2s and -3s it would be the multitude of f-bombs dropped by listeners who get tired of artifacts & radios going silent repeatedly. :D ;)
 
HD Radio is broadcasting, and as such is subject to the obscenity regulations. HD is not satellite nor cable. And the size of the audience (if any) is irrelevant. The originating station has no prior control over the audience size. There's no way they can tell if nobody's listening or if 100 are listening (admittedly a stretch when it comes to an HD sub.) If the offending station programs something which is patently obscene, especially if it's recorded material which would be easy to edit or otherwise keep off the air (as opposed to sudden utterances by a fan at a ballgame) then the operator should be fined.

I agree that as a practical matter nothing will happen because (a) nobody's complained AFAWK and (b) this involves HD Radio, where "anything goes" apparently at the Enforcement Bureau.

"If it's digital, we don't want to hear about any problems."
 
Zach said:
I'd think that the subchannels would be subject to the same decency standards as the main channels or SCAs or anything else in the broadcast band.

After checking the lyrics to the song, yeah I'd definitely say someone screwed up airing that in afternoons.
Click to expand...

The FCC regards SCAs as a semi-private service, rather than broadcast to the general public. They are exempt from legal IDs, EAS tests, etc. -- and if you listen to one without authorization, you run afoul of the ECPA.

Some of the material presented on radio reading services for the visually-impaired reportedly violates the "decency" standards for a main channel broadcast, but this has been deemed OK from a civil liberties standpoint. (If those of us who can read are given access to this stuff, shouldn't those with visual impairments be allowed as well?)

Also, some talk stations use SCA for pre-delay IFB, so anyone listening will hear the curse words, etc. before the caller is cut off and dumped.
 
Play Freebird said:
One way to find out would be to notify the FCC and see how the Enforcement Bureau responds.
Click to expand...
We are reminded of the WWII phrase, "loose lips sink ships". :-X
 
Perhaps the FCC should declare HD subchannels to be a free speech no man's land for music and spoken content. Anything goes. That might drive sales of people who tire of their (c)rap music and heavy metal getting sliced and diced on regular radio.
 
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