Copyright 2000 Daily News, L.P.
Daily News (New
York)
April 18, 2000, Tuesday SPORTS FINAL EDITION
SECTION: TELEVISION; Pg. 70
LENGTH: 384 words
HEADLINE:
LOW-POWER FM DEALT A BLOW
BYLINE: By
DAVID HINCKLEY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
BODY:
The
radio industry is on target to kill the FCC's plan for licensing new
low-power FM (LPFM) stations.
Despite criticism from
FCC Chairman Bill Kennard and President Clinton's declaration that he supports
LPFM, the House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that Kennard says will
eliminate 75%-80% of possible LPFM stations.
Frustrated LPFM advocates
argue this will hurt churches and other community groups that otherwise have no
access to airwaves.
"Congress does not realize the broad support
low-power radio has," says Cheryl Leanza of the Media Access Project. "Members
only heard from the powerful broadcast lobby."
The bill is now before
the Senate, in a stronger form. It will need a two-thirds Senate majority to
withstand a possible Clinton veto. It had that majority easily in the House,
274-110.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which has led
the fight against LPFM, is confident. "NAB showed the kind of power and
influence it has," says Tom Taylor of the trade mag M Street Journal.
NAB says it opposes LPFM because it could interfere with existing
signals. But advocates of LPFM say NAB members want to protect their monopoly -
noting the growing ownership of radio by large, nonlocal corporations that often
syndicate programming among markets, cut down on local news and increase
advertising time.
The FCC is scheduled to start accepting applications
for 100-watt stations next month, with applications for 10-watt stations to
follow. The House bill would severely restrict the number of LPFM stations,
perhaps to fewer than a hundred nationwide.
NEW AT Q: As expected,
program director Bob Buchmann took over the morning show yesterday at WAXQ
(104.3 FM). Newsman Shawn Kelly stays and Buchmann says he's "hoping" to bring
in his former WBAB sidekick, Tracy Burgess.
Buchmann runs a
music-intensive show and will institute Twofer Tuesdays. He'll also do a "trick
question of the day" and a crank phone call on Friday.
"We're doing what
listeners tell us they want," says Buchmann. "We've got a very passionate
audience and this is a great time for classic rock." WAXQ's goal, he says, is to
be in the top eight among listeners 25 to 54.
WEBB SITE: The Ken Webb
morning show at WWRL (1600 AM) broadcasts live Thursday from Henry House in
Brooklyn.
LOAD-DATE: April 18, 2000
