FCC Denies Noncomm's Request For Waiver To Air Commercials

FCC Says No

The FCC has rejected NETWORK OF GLORY, INC.'s petition for a waiver of the prohibition of commercial advertisements on its noncommercial WAKP/SMITHBORO, GA; WGBQ/LYNCHBURG, TN; KEJA/KALE, AR; KJOG/CLEVELAND, OK; and KEIS/YORK, NE.  The company asked for the waiver because, it said, "its stations serve rural, low socioeconomic populations that cannot financially support the operational expenses of its stations." 

Its petition asked the FCC to allow limited commercial announcements at the top of the hour; the Commission said that it is barred by statute from waiving the rule but would have denied it anyway because, it said "would undermine the statutory and regulatory purposes in authorizing (noncommercial educational) stations -- that is, to encourage the development of a public broadcasting system that is free from extraneous influence and control."

The Commission also denied a main studio rule waiver request by LAKOTA LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT for NCE station WLHS/WEST CHESTER, OH that would have also outsourced staffing to WMKV/READING, OH.  The Commission said that it found no precedent for issuing a staffing waiver and noted that the licensee has flexibility to assign staffers to work part-time at the main studio.

And the FCC issued a proposed $1,200 fine to REIER BROADCASTING for a late license renewal application and subsequent unauthorized operation of FM translator K265AS/LIVINGSTON, MT, and granted the renewal over the objection of CLEAR CHANNEL's CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

« see more Net News