WCRS-LP/WCRX-LP timeshare

[teched]

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Simply Living’s license (File No. BLL-20070618ACJ) is
REISSUED to reflect the hours of operation stipulated in Article II, paragraph 6 of the Time Share
Agreement (3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily).

full pdf: http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db0503/DA-10-763A1.pdf

 

[jakej]

I used to think that commercial radio was the enemy, but I may have to broaden my horizons a little bit.
As soon as I learn the new time slots for "Yesterday's Top Secrets", which I've been told will definitely continue to air on WCRS, I'll post them here.

 

[knowbetter]

I used to think that commercial radio was the enemy, but I may have to broaden my horizons a little bit.
As soon as I learn the new time slots for "Yesterday's Top Secrets", which I've been told will definitely continue to air on WCRS, I'll post them here.

so who is the enemy???, the FCC, Bexley, TNN, Me, or yourselves?

 

[jakej]

Aw, come on, KB, I wanted to leave that to everyone's imagination! Well, it's not me, and it's not you (er, at least I don't THINK it's you; um, it's not you, is it?!?!), and it's not "ourselves", and it's most definitely not the very lovely and wonderful Neighborhood Network, and, and, and ... and that's all I'm gonna say!
Still waiting on my new time slots.

 

[knowbetter]

Aw, come on, KB, I wanted to leave that to everyone's imagination! Well, it's not me, and it's not you (er, at least I don't THINK it's you; um, it's not you, is it?!?!), and it's not "ourselves", and it's most definitely not the very lovely and wonderful Neighborhood Network, and, and, and ... and that's all I'm gonna say!
Still waiting on my new time slots.

Probably, but I don't like to rush to judgement!!!

 

[gabigley1]

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Simply Living’s license (File No. BLL-20070618ACJ) is
REISSUED to reflect the hours of operation stipulated in Article II, paragraph 6 of the Time Share
Agreement (3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily).

full pdf: http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db0503/DA-10-763A1.pdf

I notice that WCRS-LP has official posted the new hours on it's website here:

http://www.wcrsfm.org/schedule

This comes to no surprise to me that the Commission reversed it's decision to increase the broadcast hours for Simply Living's WCRS-LP. They are sharing radio broadcasting time with Bexley Public Radio, WCRX-LP on 102.1 FM. It didn't make scene to me that the Commission would increase broadcast hours for
WCRS-LP when WCRX-LP was not a part on the new time share agreement and may not have been made aware of Simply Livings request for additional hours. It looks like the FCC made a mistake by granting WCRS-LP the expanded hours last year and now has has reversed its decision at Bexley Public Radio request. Dose the FCC reverse it's decisions that often?

 

[jakej]

I notice that WCRS-LP has official posted the new hours on it's website here:

http://www.wcrsfm.org/schedule

There's no new schedule posted yet; clicking the attachment link at the above address only brings up the old 13-hour one. The WCRS programming committee met this afternoon, so hopefully something will be going up shortly.

 

[knowbetter]

This comes to no surprise to me that the Commission reversed it's decision to increase the broadcast hours for Simply Living's WCRS-LP. They are sharing radio broadcasting time with Bexley Public Radio, WCRX-LP on 102.1 FM. It didn't make scene to me that the Commission would increase broadcast hours for WCRS-LP when WCRX-LP was not a part on the new time share agreement and may not have been made aware of Simply Livings request for additional hours.

Overall, this sorta perplexes me too, with the large number of time shares issued, (I believe about 500 or so), the local folks seem to not be able to agree on one, leaving a station with 17 to 19 hours a day of dead air. This doesn't make any sense, unless you are in a position to get the commission to open a new window for new applicants, and that probably won't happen till 2012. Regardless, neither of the local licensees will exist at that point, so them to not agree to share is absolute crazy!

It looks like the FCC made a mistake by granting WCRS-LP the expanded hours last year and now has has reversed its decision at Bexley Public Radio request. Dose the FCC reverse it's decisions that often?

No they don't usually, the do reverse when the logic is so compelling that to ignore it would be nonsense. In this case, the commission admitted that they made a mistake in the granting of the additional time. This was in violation of their own rules, which is also the reason they would not grant a wavier in this case. If they did, they would have invalidated the rules fer everyone else who was part of a timeshare, which is something they could not do.

Another side note on this case is that members of another group made asome inquiries that raised a question witht he fcc, on timeshares, and translators, you may have noticed that only one of the timeshare partners are on the 98.3 frequency. This was probably also a bad decision on the FCC's part, which overall affects a whole lot more stations then the two local ones. I too would expect this to be challenged. It appears that columbus will do a whole lot in determining the future of timeshares

 

[teched]

I, too, am of the opinion that dead air is of little service to the community; no matter how inclusive, exclusive, overlapping or independent the "communities" wish they were.

Overlooking one's own self as "the enemy" (impediment to one's own goals) could be an example of just how formidable that foe truly is.

This might also be a good opportunity for the various producers and community members (listeners) to make a case for moving the strongest (be it "ratings," message or impact) programming to more powerful stations and/or wider geographic areas.

 

[knowbetter]

I, too, am of the opinion that dead air is of little service to the community; no matter how inclusive, exclusive, overlapping or independent the "communities" wish they were.

Yep, dead air is detremental for everyone,so there is no reason to believe that anyone really wants or can benefit from it. It doesn't make any sense on either side.

Overlooking one's own self as "the enemy" (impediment to one's own goals) could be an example of just how formidable that foe truly is.

I am beginning to believe there is some unknown here...I do know many people on both sides of this issue, I have tried to talk to both, I don't believe that either of the two sides are self distructive, since I believe they both relaize the cost.

This might also be a good opportunity for the various producers and community members (listeners) to make a case for moving the strongest (be it "ratings," message or impact) programming to more powerful stations and/or wider geographic areas.

I think the sad thing , is that most of the programming will never find a home elsewhere.

 

[jakej]

This might also be a good opportunity for the various producers and community members (listeners) to make a case for moving the strongest (be it "ratings," message or impact) programming to more powerful stations and/or wider geographic areas.

I think the sad thing , is that most of the programming will never find a home elsewhere.

Yeah, I fell outta my chair laughing at that one!

 

[knowbetter]

Overlooking one's own self as "the enemy" (impediment to one's own goals) could be an example of just how formidable that foe truly is.

can you explain this one clearly to me?

 

[teched]

This might also be a good opportunity for the various producers and community members (listeners) to make a case for moving the strongest (be it "ratings," message or impact) programming to more powerful stations and/or wider geographic areas.

I think the sad thing , is that most of the programming will never find a home elsewhere.

Yeah, I fell outta my chair laughing at that one!

What struck you as funny and why?

 

[teched]

Overlooking one's own self as "the enemy" (impediment to one's own goals) could be an example of just how formidable that foe truly is.

can you explain this one clearly to me?

I don't know if I can explain it clearly.  I can certainly elaborate:

My line of thinking is that an "enemy" isn't necessarily limited to being an external entity.  That is to say that it need not be limited external things such as an "evil twin", competitor or existing power structure.  It can be any impediment, obstacle, contrary force and even inertia alone. Not giving consideration to the possibility of internal "enemy" factors is itself , potentially, an example of an "enemy" force.

If that led to even less understanding of what I was trying to convey please let me know what aspects need the most clarification so I can concentrate my efforts.


I have no knowledge of any specifics in the disputes between the timeshare parties or what, if any, external factors may be influencing their positions and actions.  Footnote #3, excerpted below, of DA-703 refers to the hours of operation being just of, perhaps, many positions where WCRS-LP and WCRX-LP differ.  The hours of operation might just be an difference where a step toward reconciliation could be found through an external party (FCC).

Both Simply Living and Bexley discuss at length their problems in reaching a mutually-agreeable operating schedule and payments for shared equipment. We decline to comment or rule on these matters, as it is the responsibility of the parties to the time-share agreement to
negotiate changes in the operating schedule. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.872(c)(2).

DA-703 also references First and Second letters from both Bexley and Simply Living but I have not yet found them at the FCC's website.  Are they available or might an FOIA request be required?

 

[jakej]

The new WCRS schedule is now up, and here's the link to it:

http://wcrsfm.org/ourschedule

You'll have to scroll down a little bit but eventually you'll come to where our hours now begin. "Yesterday's Top Secrets" will air from 7 to 8pm on Thursday and Friday instead of from 8 to 9, and Monday night's "Secrets Classic" (rebroadcasts of previous episodes of the show) has been discontinued.

Just for kicks, I looked back over YTS's 162 episodes to date and carefully tabulated our top tens -- the top ten bands of each of the show's two covered eras, in terms of the number of different tunes by each one that has been played on the show so far. The results:

'60s/early '70s oldies bands

#1 The Beatles -- 41 different songs aired so far
#2 The Beach Boys -- 38 different songs
#3 The Who -- 36 different songs
#4 The Carpenters -- 34 different songs
#5 The Supremes -- 32 different songs
#6 The Byrds -- 29 different songs
Creedence Clearwater Revival -- 29 different songs
Jefferson Airplane -- 29 different songs
#9 The Rolling Stones -- 26 different songs
The Zombies -- 26 different songs


'80s/late '70s alternative bands

#1 Cocteau Twins -- 32 different songs aired so far
Husker Du -- 32 different songs
Simple Minds -- 32 different songs
#4 The Cramps -- 31 different songs
#5 The Monochrome Set -- 30 different songs
#6 Joy Division -- 27 different songs
#7 The Embarrassment -- 25 different songs
#8 The Jesus and Mary Chain -- 24 different songs
#9 Buzzcocks -- 23 different songs
#10 The Birthday Party -- 22 different songs
Xymox -- 22 different songs


Over thirty of my hour-long shows are archived and can be downloaded or played at one's convenience through the station's website.

This might also be a good opportunity for the various producers and community members (listeners) to make a case for moving the strongest (be it "ratings," message or impact) programming to more powerful stations and/or wider geographic areas.

I think the sad thing , is that most of the programming will never find a home elsewhere.

Yeah, I fell outta my chair laughing at that one!

What struck you as funny and why?

I spent a lot of years trying to persuade virtually every commercial outfit in this town that had at least one station in the lower half of the ratings to give my "Yesterday's Top Secrets" concept a chance, either as a daily show or as an entire format, and it was a unanimous thumbs down, usually immediately. I'm laughing because I don't think you're fully aware of the "depth" of the intellect of the people who run these stations (into the ground), teched, both at the local and national level. I also checked with our local noncommercial outfits as well, and the result was always the same. So to suggest that these options are available for any or all of the discontinued programs on WCRS is to me a very laughable proposition. Fortunately, just about the only shows that have been now dropped by WCRS have been syndicated talk ones; I don't think any of the local music programs have been axed -- thank you, 'CRS, very good decision on that.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I just can't relate to the Carpenters thing (and many would agree with me).

Also, I think the Beach Boys are extremely over-rated (and many would disagree with me).

 

[knowbetter]

Overlooking one's own self as "the enemy" (impediment to one's own goals) could be an example of just how formidable that foe truly is.

can you explain this one clearly to me?

I don't know if I can explain it clearly. I can certainly elaborate:

My line of thinking is that an "enemy" isn't necessarily limited to being an external entity. That is to say that it need not be limited external things such as an "evil twin", competitor or existing power structure. It can be any impediment, obstacle, contrary force and even inertia alone. Not giving consideration to the possibility of internal "enemy" factors is itself , potentially, an example of an "enemy" force.

If that led to even less understanding of what I was trying to convey please let me know what aspects need the most clarification so I can concentrate my efforts.

I don't know that I understand, I will say that conventional wisdom seems to elude this situation...(at least, if my wisdom is conventional)

I am a huge fan of radio, and community radio. I am not an activist, and don't have a lot of opinions that I want to change, aalthough I have a lot of interest in what others have to say.

I realize that the "business of radio" doesn't lend itself to change. I can understand why jakej is unhappy about his concepts not being adopted by commercial or general interest stations, but at the same time, I sense he is pretty bitter about it. The case in point is that fringe topics need fringe radio stations < of course, realizing that miany of the fringe formats of the past are now national general market formats. > This is why I have always had a lot to do with developing new community stations, over the years.

That is also why I agree with jakej, that most of the programming won't see the light of day without low power, or very targeted niche radio. There are plenty of radio stations playing ethnic formats, religious, and differing points of view. I remember being loosley involved in the first openly gay commercial station some 30 years ago, while the station didn't last that long, they did prove that there was a market for differing views, depending on if you can reach you target audience.

But what I see here is different. There is a major power struggle, with at least one side apparantly willing to do whatever they can to hold down the other side, even at their own demise. There I see some commonality with My line of thinking is that an "enemy" isn't necessarily limited to being an external entity. That is to say that it need not be limited external things such as an "evil twin", competitor or existing power structure. It can be any impediment, obstacle, contrary force and even inertia alone. Not giving consideration to the possibility of internal "enemy" factors is itself , potentially, an example of an "enemy" force. I really think the other side is a whole lot more patient, but I also see it wearing on them too.

What I worry about is the next round of arguments. My guess is that they will be very nasty.

 

[knowbetter]

I just can't relate to the Carpenters thing (and many would agree with me).

Also, I think the Beach Boys are extremely over-rated (and many would disagree with me).

Love the Carpenters, Hate the Beach Boys!

 

[knowbetter]

I have no knowledge of any specifics in the disputes between the timeshare parties or what, if any, external factors may be influencing their positions and actions. Footnote #3, excerpted below, of DA-703 refers to the hours of operation being just of, perhaps, many positions where WCRS-LP and WCRX-LP differ. The hours of operation might just be an difference where a step toward reconciliation could be found through an external party (FCC).

Both Simply Living and Bexley discuss at length their problems in reaching a mutually-agreeable operating schedule and payments for shared equipment. We decline to comment or rule on these matters, as it is the responsibility of the parties to the time-share agreement to
negotiate changes in the operating schedule. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.872(c)(2).

I don't think the FCC will comment on any of the local disputes. As far as they are concerned, local disputes are just that, local, and they won't comment or rule on them at all. I thought the FCC's overall response was pretty much as expected, they fully adimtted that the time share should not have been altered, with the dismissal of the other parties, they basically said it was illegal from day one, which simply extracted them from any an all responsibilities for the action. They threw any and all issues to resolved at the local level, by whatever means are decided necessary by the parties. They prevented themselves from having any liability, anad they also, more importantly preserved their rules. I think they were clear, and did the right thing in this case.

I also expect the FCC expect the two local parties to iron out their differences here, and not come back to them. I see the groups probably going back to the FCC on matters, which I for one, would consider a HUGH mistake, short of submitting an agreed upon timeshare. Let's face it, the FCC really doesn't want to hear from Columbus Ohio LPFM's for a long, long, long time.

DA-703 also references First and Second letters from both Bexley and Simply Living but I have not yet found them at the FCC's website. Are they available or might an FOIA request be required?

One of the big mistakes I always felt was a bad one, was the FCC not requiring LPFM's to follow many of the rules, the Biggest being Public File requirements. I don't know if the information you seek is available on the website, but you might be able to get a copy from the FCC's copying contractor, I am not sure exactly who that is, they can look up the file, and copy them, so you can get the letters if you wish.

You might also just write to the station managers at either/both of the stations involved, they should be able to release the info to you, I don't think any of it probably would be considered private information.

 

[teched]

I spent a lot of years trying to persuade virtually every commercial outfit in this town that had at least one station in the lower half of the ratings to give my "Yesterday's Top Secrets" concept a chance, either as a daily show or as an entire format, and it was a unanimous thumbs down, usually immediately.

Why did you you limit yourself to the lower half of the ratings?

I also checked with our local noncommercial outfits as well, and the result was always the same. So to suggest that these options are available for any or all of the discontinued programs on WCRS is to me a very laughable proposition.

I am not so eager to deny the possibility of opportunity for other programs based solely upon the difficulties of marketing a single program.

Evaluating the options for moving on/over/up aught not be limited to displaced programs. I also am not going to deny that a producer can be satisfied with their current market/exposure/reach, whatever it might be.

Should any producer be looking for "more" I encourage them to think beyond the traditional AM/FM. Look at subcarriers, subchannels, satellite in its varied forms, internet and beyond. Community can go beyond the traditions of geography, culture or lifestyle.

Fortunately, just about the only shows that have been now dropped by WCRS have been syndicated talk ones; I don't think any of the local music programs have been axed -- thank you, 'CRS, very good decision on that.

Is there a difference between a "program of local music" and a "music program hosted by a local"?