[Swprograms] Interesting BBC Article

["Ulis Fleming" <ulis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thought you guys might find this one interesting.  Wonder if this has anything to do with BBC stopping NA service on SW (probably not) or these are just super devoted listeners?  

From: http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127~2896~2107771,00.html#

Eureka Times-Standard

Friends of the BBC call on JPR to hold local public meeting 
By Meghan Vogel The Times-Standard 


Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 

ARCATA -- A group trying to stop the sale of local radio station KZPN-FM to Jefferson Public Radio is requesting the Oregon-based radio company hold a public meeting in the area.

Friends of the BBC, so-called because KZPN airs British Broadcasting Company World Service broadcasts, has been trying to stop the sale of the radio station to JPR since December. Now the group is calling on JPR's Executive Director Ron Kramer to organize a public meeting to listen to what the community would like to see done with the station.

The group is in the process of appealing the Federal Communications Commission's decision to transfer the local radio station's broadcast license to JPR.

The Oregon radio station recently sent out a "frequently asked questions" fact sheet explaining its purchase of the Bayside station. Questions JPR answered include why they are purchasing KZPN, what will be broadcast on the station after the purchase is complete and how those broadcasts will be chosen. 

In response, Friends of the BBC answered the same questions in a 10-page e-mail alleging JPR is ignoring what the community wants done with the station. The group claims JPR's planned broadcasts would duplicate what is already being played by other local stations -- KMUD, KHSU and KHUM. 

Friends of the BBC are also alleging JPR's original purchase of the KZPN "may or may not be legal." JPR contends they received a call from KZPN's board of directors asking them to purchase the radio station. Friends of the BBC say the station's current owners neglected to tell their listeners the station was for sale. 

The most contentious issue raised about the sale is KZPN's broadcasting of the BBC, the only broadcasts of their kind in the United States to air 24 hours, seven days a week. 

JPR's fact sheet says KZPN airs the BBC under the authority of a letter given to the current owner before the BBC assigned exclusive U.S. distribution rights to Public Radio International. For that reason, the JPR fact sheet states, the current BBC programming is not transferable to a new owner. However, the current BBC broadcasts could be aired through a "far more costly" licensing agreement with Public Radio International. 

Friends of the BBC say the new licensing agreement would only amount to $500 per year. Currently, KZPN broadcasts the Caribbean feed of BBC World Service, instead of the "U.S.-centric radio feed" offered by Public Radio International. 

"Our understanding is that BBC in London has been allowing this (the Caribbean feed) to take place for many years," reads the Friends of the BBC's response to JPR. "Who's to say whether they would or would not allow it to continue with new owners?"

Ideally, the group would like to have the station for themselves to broadcast World Service programs from around the globe. Friends of the BBC have raised $15,000 in conditional pledges to purchase the station and will continue to fight the FCC's approved license transfer to JPR. 



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Ulis R. Fleming 
Radio Amateur: K3LU (ex: WB3LUI & TI5NW) 
Home Page:  http://www.radiointel.com 
Maryland USA 
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