How come Hot 87.7 is off the FCC's radar?

[nd2023]

It's been on the air at 87.7 for over a year and a half 24 hours a day with a huge signal that covers 30 miles, better than some of the college stations in Boston. About equal coverage as an LPTV on Channel 6. It'll be the only station to remain on the air at 87.7 after the LPTV sunset. And it's also proof that Boston could have a channel 6 LPTV with no interference to 88.1.

I wonder how well it would do in the Arbitron ratings if it could encode for PPM. It has a relatively mainstream format that's missing from other radio stations, and a professional on-air presentation. I even heard one national ad on the station. Pulse 87 in NYC and Smooth Jazz 87.7 in Chicago showed up in the Arbitron ratings, and I'm sure that WPOT would also show up.

87.9 The Wave with an oldies format and a smaller signal got visited and they shut down, but Hot 87.7 continues to broadcast away with impunity, despite being fined when they used to be on 97.5 2 years ago. Not a single NOUO for 87.7 in Boston.

 

[carmen]

maybe it's because they're boring. http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-300632A1.html seems like a more fun thing to track down


why do Hot87 insist on a playlist even more simplistic and predictable than most commercial stations?

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

How exactly do you know that Hot 87.7 is off the FCC's radar?

 

[farnsworth]

This is a crazy theory, but what the heck:
The format really doesn't hurt the establishment of radio stations. Let's get serious, no other broadcast company is willing to go after the market segment, they don't feel they have to due to demographic figures - not looking at the loyal $pending power - but that's another discussion. And to some degree, it's hard to argue.
So, if WPOT's signal isn't bleeding into theirs and more importantly, their format isn't bleeding into their wallets of potential income, no harm no foul from the CC's, GM's and E's of the Boston landscape. They don't care.

In some crazy way it actually helps places like brick and mortar entertainment businesses like Showcase Live and House of Blues and other nightclubs = Big $. During the tough economic times to get in more pricier talent they can bring in talent at a reduced cost and get patrons from Boston, North Shore, South Shore and Providence area. So, as long as they're happy and making money, they're not going to complain either.

And believe it or not the local cities and towns will receive a bump in taxable revenue as a result of increases in the spending indirectly from the businesses making money. So, ironically its not in the municipalities interest to complain.

IMO, I understand from a legal and to a lesser degree ethical angle that you're supposed to apply for licenses in the "RIGHT WAY" and LP FM is the legal way to do it, but c'mon are we really seeing a rush to the Wild West of broadcasting due to a few renegades? For the sake of serious discussion, what harm is really being caused financially? In the past, the Boston areas has had disenfranchised voices not being heard for a long time. It was always to company with the biggest dollars that stirred the drink. Technology has allow people to catch up. Progress doesn't stop for anyone. Someone with passion and keen insight managed to fill the niche. For all the criticism WPOT is given, on some levels it's genius.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

I don't think it's any of that. I think it's just that the FCC often doesn't follow through with action to shut down pirate stations after simply sending them fines in the mail.

WGBH has complained about the pirate on 99.7 in Dorchester interfering with their 99.5 WCRB, and that pirate is still on. I can hear it here in Somerville. Many of the other pirates in town, including high-profile ones like Big City, Choice, Vibe, etc... have been fined, and they're all still also on the air. Like them, "Hot 87.7" is simply enjoying the FCC's inaction.

 

[fybush]

With its limited resources, the FCC's going to pay the most attention to the pirates causing the most interference to the loudest complainers. Throw a spur over Logan air-traffic control and you'll have an FCC inspector and a US marshal at your door before the sun is down. Sit on 99.7 and screw with WCRB reception and you'll at least get an NAL fairly quickly.

Who's going to squeal loudly to the FCC about 87.7? Sure, it's sucking ad revenue out of the market, but not from advertisers who'd be buying Kiss or Jam'n or Mix anyway. And it appears to be clean enough not to interfere much with WMBR, which would probably have the biggest cause for complaint. So it presumably falls pretty far down the FCC's priority list.

 

[WBIMDJ]

As far as revenue and entertainment goes I'll give them this: I was recently at a hip hop show last summer at Showcase Live, seeing the hip hop band Arrested Development ("Tennessee", "People Everyday" were hits in the 90's). It was definitely not a 94.5 type of crowd, much more 'urban'. After the show, there was a DJ who started playing music, and where did he say he was from? Hot 87.7 (97)!!

 

[MickeyD]

It's been on the air at 87.7 for over a year and a half 24 hours a day with a huge signal that covers 30 miles, better than some of the college stations in Boston. About equal coverage as an LPTV on Channel 6. It'll be the only station to remain on the air at 87.7 after the LPTV sunset. And it's also proof that Boston could have a channel 6 LPTV with no interference to 88.1.

I wonder how well it would do in the Arbitron ratings if it could encode for PPM. It has a relatively mainstream format that's missing from other radio stations, and a professional on-air presentation. I even heard one national ad on the station. Pulse 87 in NYC and Smooth Jazz 87.7 in Chicago showed up in the Arbitron ratings, and I'm sure that WPOT would also show up.

87.9 The Wave with an oldies format and a smaller signal got visited and they shut down, but Hot 87.7 continues to broadcast away with impunity, despite being fined when they used to be on 97.5 2 years ago. Not a single NOUO for 87.7 in Boston.

They seem to be afraid of minority owned pirates. The guy on 87.9 was an old, blind, white guy. As for a digital LPTV station on Channel 6, ATSC does not work well at all on VHF channels. Well actually, ATSC doesn't work well on anything unless you want to travel back in time and instal an outside antenna.