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Stations going "dark"

  • Thread starter Bakers_Bookstore
  • Start date

B

Bakers_Bookstore

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We all know that the FCC does not allow stations to go "dark" without giving up their licenses. So I look at the recent trend of corporate stations eliminating local staff and programming and "simulcasting" with other properties they own. So I ask you, do those stations that are now the "victims" of simulcast constitute a "dark" station and license?

I would argue, yes!

Perhaps it is time for Mom and Dad to start filing peititons again! :)
 
Maybe when Obama is in office things will change, but I'm not holding my breath until Jan 20th.
 
How are any stations victims if they are not profitable?

As much as I am not a fan of corporate control, I don't think the decision makers are so evil that they just choose to shut down or simulcast for no reason. No money, no airtime. It's the same from top to bottom.
 
As far as the FCC is concerned... so long as they are airing the appropriate legal ID and broadcasting their EAS Weekly and Monthly tests and not exceeding their allowed modulation, the FCC probably doesn't really care (nor has a mandate to care) about whether their broadcast is a simulcast or not.

(that is, until it is time to renew the license and people potentially complain about the "service" they are receiving from the licensee in question)

I guess you could make the argument... but it wouldn't be easy and my guess is that it wouldn't be effectual.
 
Hi Sharkbite. I took the following from the SF board that prompted my thinking:

KCBS-AM will begin simulcasting on 106.9 on October 27.
Click to expand...

So KFRC, under my "new" way of thinking, is "dark". I doubt that KFRC was what you call an unprofitable station. It seems to be another move by CBS to reduce expense ahead of a sale.

So if I were an attorney I might argue that since the rules have been changed then the definition of a station going "dark" has changed along with those rules since corporations can do exactly what CBS is doing in San Fran.

Food for thought.
 
Didn't the management of the AM in Norfolk (call letters escape me now...)
intentionally take it dark, so they could beef up their co-owned signal?
Anyone have the details?
 
WLYNgm said:
Didn't the management of the AM in Norfolk (call letters escape me now...)
intentionally take it dark, so they could beef up their co-owned signal?
Anyone have the details?
Click to expand...

WDIS on 1170? I don't thin the nutty lawyer has ever owned anything else..

The station didn't have a license for awhile due to some renewal issues and then WJJF 1180 Hope Valley-Westerly, RI tried to petition so they wouldn't get the WDIS license renewed so WJJF could get a power upgrade.
 
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