June 28, 2011
Yesterday we told you how the NAB was sticking up for niche-formatted stations in its comments to the FCC about LPFM stations. Today we hear from the Christian Broadcasting community. They are none too happy with the NAB comments that an LPFM station could hurt a niche-formatted commercial stations revenue. John Broomall from the CCB writes, "No LPFM operator or advocate, including CCB, believes that LPFM has had (or will have significant impact on commercial broadcasters. If this premise is correct, the FCC has an impossible task ? proving a negative.)"
Broomall says if a commercial station fails don't blame us. "Nearly 100% of the revenues generated by commercial stations is from advertising. This is the only useful metric to consider. Evaluating the impact of a 100-watt LPFM that cannot legally air commercials having a five-mile radius coverage against a 100,000 watt commercial station with a 50-mile reach is like comparing mice to elephants. Elephants may be afraid of mice but 100K stations cannot blame LPFMs on any of their economic problems."
"Everyone wants to ?be successful?. Hopefully broadcasters want to ?serve the public interest? and have a positive impact or influence on their listeners. No one brags that they are failures in any way, including financially. However, neither the IRS nor the FCC expects or wants non-profit organizations to hurt businesses economically. Based on the purpose and design of LPFM, this low power non-profit service was not intended to have ?significant impact? on any business, including commercial full-service broadcasters. It is impossible to predict the future. Prognosticators disagree as to whether history is a ?straight line? or if it repeats itself. Individuals who are ?successful? at economic predictions don?t work for the FCC ? they are independently wealthy and called ?billionaires?!
Broomall founded CCB in early 2000 at the beginning of LPFM. CCB has filed hundreds of LPFM filings with the FCC from routine Form 318?s to complex and highly disputed MX pleadings, all with a high level of success. The Broomalls have a website and an Internet discussion group devoted to LPFM and have conducted workshops and seminars.
