The FCC intends to vote on modernizing its contest rules in
its open meeting later this month. RadioWorld reports Entercom petitioned for a change two years
ago, asking the agency to allow radio and TV stations to post contest rules
online.
Currently, the rules must be announced on-air, leading to a
long explanation that turns off listeners and viewers, according to stations.
In its original petition, Entercom said it’s time to allow
stations to place their contest rules on the web, or disseminate them elsewhere
off-air, such as via email, Fax, mail or in-person. Entercom suggested their
proposal is in line with “how the majority of Americans access and consume
information in the 21st century and [would provide] relief to radio from
mandated program content that is counterproductive and not the most effective
way to achieve the purposes of the contest rule.”
The so-called contest rules were enacted to make sure
stations conducted contests in a fair manner “in light of certain abusive
contest practices the FCC observed in the 1960s and 1970s,” stated the
broadcaster, which observes that television can more easily insert text at the
bottom of the screen to fulfill the requirement. Radio, on the other hand, must
interrupt programming to fulfill the requirement, which drives away listeners.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has put a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking “to give broadcasters greater flexibility in their disclosure of
contest terms” on the Nov. 21 agenda. If passed, that gives broadcast owners
time to give the agency their input on any changes.
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