FCC Field Office Downsizing Confirmed

3-13-2015

Following a rumor that has been widely reported regarding the FCC's intentions to downsize its field office, Radio Ink has confirmed that the Commission is considering the downsizing from an FCC spokesperson. With the Commission taking fewer and fewer actions against pirates, this news will be troublesome for many broadcasters, especially those in markets where pirate signals are still a major issue.

In a very governmental sounding response, an FCC spokesperson responded to Radio Ink's inquires regarding the rumor of downsizing in the field office, "The Commission recently completed a thorough, data-driven review of our field programs with an eye toward improving efficiency while meeting our responsibilities both today and in the future.  The commissioners are considering a proposal that meets these goals."

Radio Ink reported last month that actions against AM/FM and shortwave pirate stations last year were at their lowest level since 2000. In 2014 there were fewer than 200 actions against pirates. Markets including New York, New Jersey, Florida and Boston are still hot spots for pirate broadcast activity.

When pressed by the attendee's at the Radio Ink Hispanic Radio Conference regarding pirate enforcement, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn commented that the reduction in actions on pirate signals was in part attributable to ensuring safety to the field officers. Clyburn said, "Some of the challenges include security for our men and women out in the field. The challenge is manpower and security [for our teams]. It's like Whack-a-Mole. When we shut them down, they pop up again. We need to figure out what makes them popular and profitable and to fulfill those needs in different ways."

Considering the very real issue regarding the safety of field officers, the data showing that the FCC has taken fewer actions against pirates in recent years, and now the conformation of the FCC considering downsizing of the field office personnel, the worry for licensed broadcasters has to be that this "perfect storm" may lead to even more problems, and fewer actions against pirates. 

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Staff Cuts At Press Communications/Monmouth-Ocean, NJ Confirmed

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Downsizing

ALL ACCESS has heard rumors of significant staff downsizing at the PRESS COMMUNICATIONS/MONMOUTH-OCEAN, NJ cluster. Confirmed casualties are Station Manager, Dir./Programming and WBHX morning host MIKE FITZGERALD; WWZY mornings/WBHX afternoons/WKMK-KHTG nights RANDY DAVIS; News Dir. AL BROOKS and WWZY nights SHELLI COLE.

More details to come.

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Unique Radio Deal in Cleveland Confirmed

3-29-13

With the sports radio format so popular with listeners and the NFL so popular with consumers could this new arrangement be the wave of the future for radio? In Cleveland, exclusivity is out the door. The Cleveland Browns have confirmed they have struck a deal with two different radio companies for broadcast rights to the upcoming NFL season.

The Browns will wind up getting over 1,000 hours of programming and nine shows on the stations proving how vital play-by-play is to radio operators. The stations include 850-AM WKNR, owned by Good Karma Broadcasting and 92.3-FM WNCX, a CBS affiliate. Clear Channel loses the Browns on WTAM-AM, which they had since 1999.

CBS Market Manager Tom Herschel said, ?We couldn?t be happier that 92.3 The Fan and 98.5, WNCX will help bring the excitement of Cleveland Browns football to fans across Northeast Ohio for many years to come. 92.3 The Fan is committed to delivering the highest quality programming and putting fans in the center of the action both on and off the field.  Our stations are looking forward to carrying on that tradition with the Cleveland Browns.?

Good Karma Broadcasting CEO Craig marmazin said, ?The uniqueness of this deal just comes back to the fans of Cleveland because the Browns? passion is so unlike anywhere that we?ve ever seen. It leads you to do things you wouldn?t expect to do. It only goes to show that the only team in North America in the history of sports that could bring two separate companies in the same format together and could bring three different stations together on gameday is the Cleveland Browns. It was a no-brainer for us to do it. To be able to work with this organization and be able to serve these fans in this way, it was unique, but it was a no-brainer.?

The new agreement means that Browns games will not be carried on Clear Channel's WTAM-AM for the first time since the expansion era began in 1999.

To learn how to make money from this exciting format join Radio Ink in Miami on May 14 and 15 at The Biltmore Hotel for our 2013 Sports Radio Conference

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NAB Wants FCC Commissioners Confirmed.

You may have read that some politicians may attempt to block President Obama's two nominations to the FCC. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley vowed to hold up the nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Paiunless unless he got some answers about a company called LightSquared. The FCC has refused to give Grassley any information. Yesterday, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith sent a letter to the Senate Commerce Committe urging Congress to confirm the nominations.

"The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) strongly encourages the Senate Commerce Committee to act promptly on these nominations and ensure that the FCC has a full complement of Commissioners next year and beyond, a time during which the agency will be making major decisions that will impact radio and television broadcasters and the entire telecommunications industry. You have worked closely with Jessica and Ajit, so you already know that they are highly qualified, knowledgeable and thoughtful public servants. We believe that these attributes and their combined years of experience - both at the FCC and in Congress - will be of significant value to the Commission. With the Senate's approval, NAB and our nation's broadcasters look forward to working with Jessica and Ajit for many years to come."

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