Infomercial on 91.5

[CatFM]

Does anyone have any take on the "infomercial" that was on 91.5 around 1 this afternoon? That sure sounded awfully commercial to me to be on a non-comm.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

If it was about some snoring and/or sleep product, I heard it Monday morning around 8:20am. I didn't listen long enough to hear cost or phone numbers, but it sounded pretty commercial to me.

 

[CatFM]

You mean there have been others? This one was an interview with a doctor who developed a concentrated Vitamin C product and they were giving an 800 number for orders. How could that not be considered commercial content?

 

[Josh.B]

It has been on for a couple of weeks, almost once a day. Sometimes around 0730, or in the afternoon, as today. It has ranged from the sleep remedy to the Vitamin C thing.. I thought it was odd too..

They started playing new TOH stuff, a new guy telling us that " You are listening to WHKC FM, Serving Columbus, Chillicothe, Springfield, Mansfield and Newark" Or something like that. Sometimes, he skips the city stuff and tells us we are listening to "Sounds of the 80's".

The playlist gets shuffled around, but it could use some updating. But I am not complaining!!! It has been a great SEVEN months! Who would of thought it was still gonna be running?

 

[C414B]

They started playing new TOH stuff, a new guy telling us that " You are listening to WHKC FM, Serving Columbus, Chillicothe, Springfield, Mansfield and Newark" Or something like that. Sometimes, he skips the city stuff and tells us we are listening to "Sounds of the 80's".

Which, IIRC, is an illegal form of the TOH ID.

 

[gr8oldies]

The ID is illegal but the informercial can get their license yanked.

 

[C414B]

The ID is illegal but the informercial can get their license yanked.

I suppose...but depending on how carefully worded it is, they might be able to get it past by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin.

 

[Radioboy989]

C414B-right

But should "Christian Broadcasting Services of Central Ohio" (or something to that effect) be in the game with that kind of "get by with it" mentality?

I've noticed much of the recently added music containing words that previously Robb would not have aired and now this infomercial...

Makes me wonder about true intentions and character and all that other stuff that doesn't matter...

If you wanna play all cussing all the time, that's fine, but do it upfront. Just my thought, I could be wrong.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

If you wanna play all cussing all the time, that's fine, but do it upfront. Just my thought, I could be wrong.

Examples?

 

[Radioboy989]

The first song that comes to mind is the stripper anthem Girls Girls Girls by Motley Crue.
I was really surprised he added the song and more surprised he didn't beep the "Hell" out of it.

There was another song this weekend that made me stare at the radio for a moment but I can't remember
what it was. I'll try to remember and post later.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I heard a 30-minute program for a glucosamine cream at 1pm about a week ago.  But I hesitate to call it an "infomercial" because if there's any way Robb can keep the current format, I'm all for it.  There was some sort of disclaimer at the beginning of the program, which was called "Natural Living" or something like that.

As for serving Springfield, well, I can tell you that based on my experience just a few days ago you really can't get a clear signal until east of Springfield, which surprised me.  Don't know about the other towns.

As for "Girls, Girls, Girls," they've been playing that for many months.  They've also been playing "I Touch Myself" for months, along with some other songs which might have been considered racy in the past but are very mild compared to a lot of today's hip hop.  I applaud Robb for the variety.  And why the hell (excuse me, "why the heck"), does the fact that the name of the owning entity contains "Christian" mean HKC should be self-censored any more than any responsible commercial station?  Ever listened to the (rarely censored)  lyrics to Prince's "Little Red Corvette," a Hot AC mainstay?

 

[Radioboy989]

And why the hell (excuse me, "why the heck"), does the fact that the name of the owning entity contains "Christian" mean HKC should be self-censored any more than any responsible commercial station? Ever listened to the (rarely censored) lyrics to Prince's "Little Red Corvette," a Hot AC mainstay?

I really don't know how to answer that question. It's just reasonable in my mind to think that if he is going to call the company "Christian" anything he would want to pursue a certain image and establish a course of conduct that coincides with the name. He doesn't HAVE to, it just seems logical. He did apply for a non-comm license using that name which would resonably suggest to the decision makers what course the station might take.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

As for serving Springfield, well, I can tell you that based on my experience just a few days ago you really can't get a clear signal until east of Springfield, which surprised me. Don't know about the other towns.

Driving from Chicago last month I tried tuning in all the way from Dayton to London on I-70 when I finally picked it up. It is much weaker than many similar signals in Columbus. They must be running at a much lower power to save money, or that antenna just isn't right.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

And why the hell (excuse me, "why the heck"), does the fact that the name of the owning entity contains "Christian" mean HKC should be self-censored any more than any responsible commercial station?  Ever listened to the (rarely censored)  lyrics to Prince's "Little Red Corvette," a Hot AC mainstay?

I really don't know how to answer that question. It's just reasonable in my mind to think that if he is going to call the company "Christian" anything he would want to pursue a certain image and establish a course of conduct that coincides with the name. He doesn't HAVE to, it just seems logical. He did apply for a non-comm license using that name which would resonably suggest to the decision makers what course the station might take.

Since the public (i.e., listeners) purportedly own the airwaves, it's their perception that would count.  And hardly any listeners know, nor care, who owns a station.  So the company name is pretty much irrelevant to the content.  Besides, there are lots of Christians who would have no problem with the music played -- although practitioners of the "my way or the highway" brand of Christianity which is so politically active these days might erroneously insist that such folks can't be "real" Christians.  BTW, my comments shouldn't be construed as saying ANYTHING about Robb.  I'm grateful to him for what he's provided on HKC whether he's Christian Right, Christian Left, or anything else.

In granting and renewing a license, I'm not so sure the FCC is SUPPOSED to consider whether the word Christian -- or any other polite word -- is in the ownership entity's name.  Now whether they actually DO consider this, I haven't a clue.  Given the current administration, maybe they do, especially for a non-comm.  I'm sure no expert in this area -- neither the law nor actual practice.  I'd be interested in hearing opinions, especially from those with expertise in this area.

 

[CatFM]

And why the hell (excuse me, "why the heck"), does the fact that the name of the owning entity contains "Christian" mean HKC should be self-censored any more than any responsible commercial station? Ever listened to the (rarely censored) lyrics to Prince's "Little Red Corvette," a Hot AC mainstay?

I really don't know how to answer that question. It's just reasonable in my mind to think that if he is going to call the company "Christian" anything he would want to pursue a certain image and establish a course of conduct that coincides with the name. He doesn't HAVE to, it just seems logical. He did apply for a non-comm license using that name which would resonably suggest to the decision makers what course the station might take.

Since the public (i.e., listeners) purportedly own the airwaves, it's their perception that would count. And hardly any listeners know, nor care, who owns a station. So the company name is pretty much irrelevant to the content. Besides, there are lots of Christians who would have no problem with the music played -- although practitioners of the "my way or the highway" brand of Christianity which is so politically active these days might erroneously insist that such folks can't be "real" Christians. BTW, my comments shouldn't be construed as saying ANYTHING about Robb. I'm grateful to him for what he's provided on HKC whether he's Christian Right, Christian Left, or anything else.

In granting and renewing a license, I'm not so sure the FCC is SUPPOSED to consider whether the word Christian -- or any other polite word -- is in the ownership entity's name. Now whether they actually DO consider this, I haven't a clue. Given the current administration, maybe they do, especially for a non-comm. I'm sure no expert in this area -- neither the law nor actual practice. I'd be interested in hearing opinions, especially from those with expertise in this area.

There was a time when it helped to sound like an oppressed minority or public spirited do-gooder, but now you just have to have the most money to slap down for a license.

 

[Josh.B]

As for serving Springfield, well, I can tell you that based on my experience just a few days ago you really can't get a clear signal until east of Springfield, which surprised me. Don't know about the other towns.

Driving from Chicago last month I tried tuning in all the way from Dayton to London on I-70 when I finally picked it up. It is much weaker than many similar signals in Columbus. They must be running at a much lower power to save money, or that antenna just isn't right.

I thought so too...

The signal is never consistent, especially in the SE part of town where I am. It drops in and out of Pickerington constantly. It barely makes the east side of Newark. We have a large old boom box type radio in the shop, and the antenna has to be moved weekly to keep the station tuned. I figured the antenna must not be right, based on the Jampro comments others made here. I dunno. They do have excellent coverage to the North. It follows you up 71 with no issues. 70 E is another story...

I did hear Robb on the radio around 5:00 in the morning last week, it was just like when WOSU TV would sign off at night. The whole "You are listening to WHKC FM, operating on 91.5 Fm....With 50,000 watts of power .....Studios located at ...And all that other stuff. Have not been up that early lately to see if it is still on or not.

 

[Josh.B]

They started playing new TOH stuff, a new guy telling us that " You are listening to WHKC FM, Serving Columbus, Chillicothe, Springfield, Mansfield and Newark" Or something like that. Sometimes, he skips the city stuff and tells us we are listening to "Sounds of the 80's".

Which, IIRC, is an illegal form of the TOH ID.

Well, You will have to educate me here..

What makes it illegal?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Re signal spottiness, at least HKC doesn't suffer from the downtown-area problems that plague so many of the suburban signals. That's a major advantage for 91.5.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I did hear Robb on the radio around 5:00 in the morning last week, it was just like when WOSU TV would sign off at night. The whole "You are listening to WHKC FM, operating on 91.5 Fm....With 50,000 watts of power .....Studios located at ...And all that other stuff.  Have not been up that early lately to see if it is still on or not.

I heard that twice last week, around 2 am both times.  I believe it was a legal announcement of change of one of the three principals in Christian Broadcasting Services.  My ears perked up the first time I heard it, since the first few sentences made it sound as if the station had been sold.  Not so, the first principal is still Robert Cassagrande, aka Robb Case.

 

[kevinkelly]

I heard the new legal ID, and the relevant part says "WHKC 91.5 Columbus, Ohio." The frequency is the only thing that can come between the calls and the city of license... so this ID is indeed legal.

There is nothing he plays on this station that I haven't played or heard on a top rated CHR in some extremely conservative southern markets, so I'm sorry if you don't like "Girls Girls Girls" but I in no way feel it is inappropriate for commercial or non-comm radio... Somewhere i still have one of the little red balloons Motley Crue dropped from the top of Dallas' Reunion Arena during that concert in 1987

We should count ourselves lucky we have a station not controlled by clear channel or another conglomerate that actually plays a wide variety of music, and probably has over a thousand songs in it's library. If you can only find 2 or 3 you object to, then that's a pretty good average I think.