Tag Archives: Underwriting Announcements

Noncommercial Stations Beware: When ‘Underwriting’ Spots Turn into Advertising, a Big Penalty Can Follow

Many noncommercial educational (NCE) stations – and their lawyers – were caught by surprise last week when the FCC issued a $115,000 civil penalty against an NCE licensee. The Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) was hit for running underwriting spots promoting for-profit entities. CCF agreed to the monetary penalty as part of an FCC approved consent … Continue Reading

FCC to NCE’s: Ixnay on the “Cold Refreshing Beer”

The Commission has added to the lexicon of things you can't say on the radio, if you're a noncommercial broadcaster and you're referring to people or companies who have provided you with underwriting support. This time around, the target is nothing less than (cue ominous music) . . . "cold refreshing beer".… Continue Reading

NCE-FM Fined $9K for Families and Ice Cream

By Peter Tannenwald
703-812-0404
email


The FCC is on the prowl again, this time striking at a station for going over the line with "underwriting" announcements before it gave up the noncommercial ship and switched to commercial status.  And the attack was on the sacred national treasure -- Tastee Freeze ice cream.

You will recall that noncommercial stations may acknowledge funding but may not use qualitative terms or suggest that listeners should make a purchase.

The announcements on this station (WCVZ, South Zanesville, Ohio) said that Tastee Freez products are "tastefully decorated" -- whoops, that says they are of good quality -- ...… Continue Reading
LexBlog