FCC Affirms Fine Against WKNR

Fined

Almost two years after proposing a fine against GOOD KARMA BROADCASTING for contest rule disclosure violations at Sports WKNR-A (ESPN 850)/CLEVELAND (NET NEWS 12/9/2010), the FCC has finally hit the station with a $4,000 fine.

The contest in question, "Who Said That," aired on TONY RIZZO's midday show, played clips of a sports figure being interviewed and asked listeners to call in to identify the speaker to win a prize; it was alleged by a complainant to have "provided no clues, cut-off callers on-air, stopped discussing prizes, and provided 'no real payoff for contest winners."  

The station described the contest as a "bit,"  The station aired the contest with basic material terms disclosed on the air and complete rules available on its website from the FALL of 2007 through SEPTEMBER 4th, 2009, with nobody guessing the speaker.  During the same period, the station aired the prize statement through the SUMMER of 2008, then cut the announcement down to just identifying only the new prize, but then did so "sparingly" the rest of the way, when callers asked about it.  The prize list changed without being identified on the air, the FCC said.

GOOD KARMA's characterization of the segment as a "bit" was rejected by the Commission, which added that the station was obligated to broadcast material terms of the contest and any prize changes over the air.

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