One thing I have noticed is programming statements and reality are many times two separate things entirely. Sometimes they are written for the FCC's eyes and in a way as to not be scrutinized. That might seem to lack candor. It is an unusual thing. The FCC wants a programming description yet the FCC will say they do not regulate programming (obviously indecent programming is a separate issue). So, it seems the FCC wants to know what programming you will provide but the FCC has already said they will not regulate programming.
So if you do something different as your primary format, no matter how well intended the description was, does the FCC really care or is the programming description to show the FCC you have a handle on what educational programming is and have a handle on what it means to serve the community?
There is a line of thinking that religion and minority oriented programming descriptions are not arguable and therefore more easily accepted by the FCC. As my former boss used to say concerning getting people to work with you, if you take the time to learn their 'language' you'll know the words and phrases that can get you in the loop. In other words, when talking with radio people, I can get further in the door by talking 'stop sets', 'music rotations' and 'traffic' rather than terms the general public might use.
Some programming descriptions are sincere but written by people with no knowledge of radio. Simply put, the programming description is never feasible in reality.
I think the FCC realizes the best laid plans change. I know one station that said they were going to do a classical format. They do an hour a week. They planned on doing classical music but once they got the Construction Permit and talked with more people, they realized this was not what the community wanted.
Even if you did what you described in the programming description and it didn't work, then what? That happens more often than not.
So far, no station I know of has ever been challenged on programming description versus reality and if so, the answer might be "At that early point that seemed feasible but with more adequate research, the description was modified to adapt to the community's wants versus our plans."
I'm not saying the very similar programming descriptions here are for FCC eyes and not for reality but rather that I have seen the programming description not materialize once the station hits the airwaves.
