An “Ah Ha” Moment…

Unjust Enrichment Penalty: Sometimes the old gray matter just doesn’t click in the way it should. For some time now I have been raging against the FCC’s “unjust enrichment penalty” that sellers of permits or licenses that had been obtained at auction with a new entrant credit must incur if they sell in less than five years. I simply could not get on board with a decent profit or capital gains being termed “unjust”. Then it hit me…the term “unjust enrichment penalty” does not apply to the so-called “enrichment”…it applies to the PENALTY. It’s the penalty that is UNJUST! Now I get it…it’s an “UNJUST enrichment PENALTY!”

That’s 30 for now…for what it’s worth.

Who Owns Your Tower?

A year or so ago I wrote about the importance of changing your Antenna Registration through the FCC’s registration system whenever there is a change in ownership of a station and the station assets include a tower.  Not all towers require registration, we know, but IF the tower(s) is registered and if title changes through the sale of a station, this is one of those often over-looked tedious details that get ignored…and sometimes come back to haunt you.   Continue reading “Who Owns Your Tower?”

Self Exam Backfire

I was recently called out by a reader of my comments in Radio Business Report regarding the assessment of fines by the FCC when a broadcast licensee reports Public File lapses as a part of the license renewal self-inspection process.  The FCC had levied several $10,000 fines when broadcasters reported that their issues/programs files were not up to date.  My reaction and comments was to challenge the FCC’s premise and practice. Continue reading “Self Exam Backfire”