CC, CBS, Entercom Support MMTC 'Rescue' Proposals
November 23, 2009: Clear Channel Communications, CBS Radio, and Entercom Communications are supporting the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council's proposals filed in July as a "Radio Rescue Petition for Rulemaking." The broadcasters first applaud the MMTC's "creativity," as well as its stated goal of doing away with "certain outdated and ineffective rules for the purpose of improving the general state of the radio broadcasting industry."
The companies ask the FCC to "carefully review and formulate rulemaking positions on a number of MMTC's proposals," Including the elimination of the AM nighttime coverage rule, saying the rule as it exists "hampers the ability of some AM broadcasters to improve daytime coverage and to lower operational costs by locating facilities to less costly transmission sites."
The MMTC in its filing also said the AM minimum efficiency standard is outdated and should be replaced with a "minimum radiation" standard, and the broadcasters agree, saying the FCC should give AM broadcasters "an added measure of flexibility and a chance to improve service and lower their operational costs" by exploring the MMTC's suggested standard.
CBS, CC, and Entercom also support the MMTC's proposals that the process for removing non-viable FM allotments be simplified, and for the FCC to conduct tutorials in increasingly complex engineering rules. The NAB has offered to partner with the FCC in running those sessions, and the broadcasters also urge the FCC to consider that offer.
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