LPFM License Holder Clarification

[RememberWHEN]

I was under the impression that the holder of an LPFM license is not allowed to transfer that license to another interested party (whether or not $$$ are involved) but must instead return it to the Commission if the holder has determined that they can't "make a go" of it after having put the station on the air.

Can someone clarify this for me?

 

[radioboy]

I think that may have been the original intention, but I know some stations have been granted waivers and..changed ownership.

There's an LPFM about 15 miles from me that has been silent for months. The license holder is a nonprofit corporation that no longer exists; it was dissolved by the state after they failed to file their renewal papers
for 2007. I've attempted contacting the listed president of the organization and, so far, no response. It's
hard to do anything with a license if no parties to the license holder can be located.

So there's a dissolved corporation still holding a valid license for a 99 watt LPFM that was once upon a time,
an operating station. FCC site still shows it as licensed; as far as they know it's on the air. I know differently..drove right by the address!

I agree with the original premise, as it was intended to keep LPFMs from being traded left and right like full-power stations..but it seems like in certain cases, such as hardships, waivers aren't such a bad idea.

 

[Whiplash]

May LPFM stations have transferred from non-profit organization to organization. Its almost common practice at this point.

Alan...message me off the forum

 

[WRPO]

Take a look at the NEW FCC ruleing made last night about transfering LPFM stations. Check it out at www.fcc.gov It now can be done easily...

 

[jegrant]

Allows the transfer of LFPM licenses subject to significant limitations.

But what are the "significant limitations"?

I am looking forward to the actual text of the Order being released, but I'll admit, I think the FCC finally gave LPFM something to work with here.

My personal favorite new rule:

Clarifies that repetitious, automated programming does not meet the local origination requirement.

I can't wait to find out what this one means.

 

[phatdaddy]

Maybe they'll have to start having a warm body in the studio for a minimum number of hours per day rather than all automation. I've heard a number of LP's here in Ohio that are doing a pretty good job with this, but there are many more who are nothing more than an IPOD.

 

[WRPO]

If we have to have someone in the studio 8 hours a day..that will be a problem. We can't afford to pay someone, and the people we have in our area are NOT radio people. They don't know the difference between a CD and a fence post. We do have a lot of local programing on Saturday and Sunday, but the rest of the week is on the computer.

 

[phatdaddy]

Your local weekend programming may well be sufficient. Will just have to wait and see what washes out from all of this.

 

[Chuck]

There is a dangerous possibility that the FCC may hold LPFMs to a higher standard than full power stations. It depends on how they define this new ruling and who gets to interpret it.

Most LPFM stations, out of economic necessity, are automated most of the time. Since they are prohibited from selling commercials, there simpy aren't many LPFM stations that can afford a paid staff. The money just isn't there. Relying entirely on volunteers is not very realistic. Even with the best of intentions, volunteers have a way of working when it is convenient for them. They may love their air shift, but their day job, family and life's trials and tribulations have a way of getting in the way of being punctual and reliable. That is not consistent with the daily requirements of running a radio station.

Most full power stations are automated at least some of the time. Many are satellite fed 24/7. I think it is a little unrealistic to hold LPFM stations to a different standard. Properly done, automation can produce a very good on air product with a lot of local content.

In any case, good locally programmed automation sure beats a satellite feed where nothing is local. I wouldn’t have any problem with the FCC limiting such satellite services to a maximum numbers of hours per day. Being a translator for a national broadcast service is not what LPFM was intended to accomplish.

 

[P-R]

There is a dangerous possibility that the FCC may hold LPFMs to a higher standard than full power stations. It depends on how they define this new ruling and who gets to interpret it.

Agreed!

In my opinion, this might be the time for LPFM operators (and possibly Part 15ers to show nay sayers that they are doing things in the community other stations are not) to begin the pain in the butt process of paper-trailing every local event aired. This opinion stems from an email I received from a very good friend who is launching his LPFM this coming month in Illinois (WXRJ). We were discussing the new FCC Rules to Promote Growth of LPFMs and my friend stated, "After reading it seems that the FCC is looking for Low Power station to provide public affairs programming more so than just providing automated music outlet. That seem understandable. What about the change of ownership and the interference clauses. I do think that local originating programs are going to be harder to verify in the future; especially for LPFM". I thought about that for a moment and replied that it probably won't be that hard. Here's why.

#1. Requiring on-line quarterly public affairs reports. These would replace the paper documents (quarterly reports) that have went into the Public File. By requiring LPFMs to maintain an active electronic public file...anyone and any shows they claim to do can be verified...i.e. mayor of blank city was interviewed from x time to x time on x date...etc. The public would have easy access to these and lets face it...there are those who would turn someone in without giving it any thought. Even if the electronic public file (quarterly report) is not adopted soon (I believe it will show its ugly head in the not so distant future) it will mean that LPFMs better have their hard copy public files updated and stacked with reports of local show/interviews/psas with contact numbers on a quarterly report basis. Remember...the Public File is to be available to the general public during regular business hours. The P-File is the one thing stations usually fail to keep updated and the first thing they usually get a forfeiture/fine on. The P-file is a pain in the butt...I know...for I have set them up in the past and maintained them...but they can be like a cross to a vampire when it comes to FCC complaints and or spot inspections.

#2. The FCC will have a built in police force and that will be the NAB and local commercial stations that will turn in anyone in a heartbeat :-(

I guess it is time to possibly be ahead of the curve and do a cyber public file...keep a hard copy...but duplicate everything into the electronic file (I am going to do this for my Part15 even though a P-file is not required, I document everything).

 

[Chuck]

There is a dangerous possibility that the FCC may hold LPFMs to a higher standard than full power stations. It depends on how they define this new ruling and who gets to interpret it.

Agreed!

In my opinion, this might be the time for LPFM operators (and possibly Part 15ers to show nay sayers that they are doing things in the community other stations are not) to begin the pain in the butt process of paper-trailing every local event aired. This opinion stems from an email I received from a very good friend who is launching his LPFM this coming month in Illinois (WXRJ). We were discussing the new FCC Rules to Promote Growth of LPFMs and my friend stated, "After reading it seems that the FCC is looking for Low Power station to provide public affairs programming more so than just providing automated music outlet. That seem understandable. What about the change of ownership and the interference clauses. I do think that local originating programs are going to be harder to verify in the future; especially for LPFM". I thought about that for a moment and replied that it probably won't be that hard. Here's why.

#1. Requiring on-line quarterly public affairs reports. These would replace the paper documents (quarterly reports) that have went into the Public File. By requiring LPFMs to maintain an active electronic public file...anyone and any shows they claim to do can be verified...i.e. mayor of blank city was interviewed from x time to x time on x date...etc. The public would have easy access to these and lets face it...there are those who would turn someone in without giving it any thought. Even if the electronic public file (quarterly report) is not adopted soon (I believe it will show its ugly head in the not so distant future) it will mean that LPFMs better have their hard copy public files updated and stacked with reports of local show/interviews/psas with contact numbers on a quarterly report basis. Remember...the Public File is to be available to the general public during regular business hours. The P-File is the one thing stations usually fail to keep updated and the first thing they usually get a forfeiture/fine on. The P-file is a pain in the butt...I know...for I have set them up in the past and maintained them...but they can be like a cross to a vampire when it comes to FCC complaints and or spot inspections.

#2. The FCC will have a built in police force and that will be the NAB and local commercial stations that will turn in anyone in a heartbeat :-(

I guess it is time to possibly be ahead of the curve and do a cyber public file...keep a hard copy...but duplicate everything into the electronic file (I am going to do this for my Part15 even though a P-file is not required, I document everything).

Currently a Public File is not an LPFM requirement. The latest rules don't seem to have mentioned adding one. While it is nice to be able to document everything it is a lot of work. If you station is volunteer operated, that maybe a big problem. Everyone wants to be on the air, but nobody wants to do paper work.

When your "helpers" won't do something, it becomes the problem of the license holder. I don't know about you but I put in 40-60 hours per week at our LPFM already. There is only so much you can do, without actually hiring a staff. To do that will mean reinventing the financial structure of the station.

Of course, until we see something in writing from the FCC that explains what they mean, we are simply speculating. I’m sure we will find out soon enough.