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KJLH question

R

Rollo-Smokes

Earlier this week, KJLH owner/singer-songwriting legend Stevie Wonder celebrated not just his birthday–he turned 74 on May 13–but also his new status as a citizen of Ghana. Based on the accounts I have read, it is not clear if he will maintain American citizenship. But, as Stevie has spoken for more than 50 years about this, it may be a good assumption that he has relinquished American citizenship and will make Ghana his permanent home.

If that is the case, this means KJLH is now 100% owned by a non-American citizen.

Unless there is a firm business plan in place that we aren't privy to (and Stevie is a very smart businessman), would the FCC force a divestment of the station now that it is wholly-owned by a foreigner?
 
NO one in the right mind relinquish a US Citizenship and if you are saying Stevie is a smart person then you already answered yourself.
you can have multiple citizenship in addition to a US Citizen.
 
Rollo-Smokes said:
Unless there is a firm business plan in place that we aren't privy to (and Stevie is a very smart businessman), would the FCC force a divestment of the station now that it is wholly-owned by a foreigner?
Click to expand...

There are a number of broadcasting operations that are 100% foreign owned. So his company would apply for a waiver.


 The streamlined rules and procedures allow a broadcast licensee to request in its Section 310(b)(4) petition for declaratory ruling: o approval of up to and including 100 percent aggregate foreign ownership of its controlling U.S. parent; approval for a proposed, controlling foreign investor to increase its equity and/or voting interests in the U.S. parent up to and including 100 percent at some future time without filing a new petition—this applies where the foreign investor would acquire an initial controlling interest of less than 100 percent;
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Assuming he hasn't transferred ownership to someone or something else.
 
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taz1033 said:
NO one in the right mind relinquish a US Citizenship and if you are saying Stevie is a smart person then you already answered yourself.
you can have multiple citizenship in addition to a US Citizen.
Click to expand...
Tina Turner gave up her American citizenship and passport, and lived in Switzerland for the last 30+ years of her life. She became a naturalized Swiss citizen in 2013.

It's a personal choice. And if you've followed Stevie's career and know anything about his view of the world, then you would be able to understand why he made this choice.
 
Rollo-Smokes said:
Earlier this week, KJLH owner/singer-songwriting legend Stevie Wonder celebrated not just his birthday–he turned 74 on May 13–but also his new status as a citizen of Ghana. Based on the accounts I have read, it is not clear if he will maintain American citizenship. But, as Stevie has spoken for more than 50 years about this, it may be a good assumption that he has relinquished American citizenship and will make Ghana his permanent home.

If that is the case, this means KJLH is now 100% owned by a non-American citizen.

Unless there is a firm business plan in place that we aren't privy to (and Stevie is a very smart businessman), would the FCC force a divestment of the station now that it is wholly-owned by a foreigner?
Click to expand...

A few clusters in Alaska and Texas were 100 percent foreign owned. Also, a group in wyoming is 20-25 percent owned (last i checked) by a resident form the isle of man.

There's some clusters in TN and OR owned by a british citizen (i forget if his wife is british or polish, i seem to recall something and dont have time to look it up)

I believe a there are some stations in south florida part owned by a non us citizen. (I swear i recall The Revolution was one)
 
taz1033 said:
NO one in the right mind relinquish a US Citizenship
Click to expand...
While this is a political matter outside the scope of this board, saying "no one" is a bit too absolute. There are people who move to and adopt another nation, and they convert to citizens there. There is a gray are where many of those retain dual citizenship.
taz1033 said:
and if you are saying Stevie is a smart person then you already answered yourself.
you can have multiple citizenship in addition to a US Citizen.
Click to expand...
In some cases. Not all nations accept that their citizens also be citizens of other nations.

But this is a good "radio" question, particularly if a U.S. citizen has dual citizenship in another nation.
 
SomeRadioGuy said:
A few clusters in Alaska and Texas were 100 percent foreign owned. Also, a group in wyoming is 20-25 percent owned (last i checked) by a resident form the isle of man.
Click to expand...
And you have a major broadcaster in radio and TV, Univision, which is 45% Mexican owned with several European investors and an approval with oversight to greater foreign ownership.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Univision Agrees to Greater Oversight to Win Government Nod on Foreign Ownership

The Federal Communications Commission allows a transfer of licenses after the Spanish broadcaster comes to a deal with the Department of Justice to resolve national security concerns.
www.hollywoodreporter.com www.hollywoodreporter.com
 
SomeRadioGuy said:
There's some clusters in TN and OR owned by a british citizen (i forget if his wife is british or polish, i seem to recall something and dont have time to look it up)
Click to expand...
i meant TN and NY.. no idea why I typed OR!
 
I'm pretty sure Stevie Wonder has business partners who'd put together some sort of U.S.-based legal entity that would continue to own KJLH and keep the FCC happy.

Attorneys can be pretty smart.
 
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