Erie mainstream media shines spotlight on pirate radio operator

Now that the FCC has identified Marshall Jones as operating a radio station without a license, he is telling his story to Erie’s mainstream media.

Last night on WJET/WFXP, John Treanor reported a package on Jones where they showed that he continues to operate the station with a computer, some microphones and a transmitter connected to a small mast at the top of a building in Erie’s Little Italy neighborhood. Despite the possiblity of major penalties, Treanor reports that Jones is determined to continue with 90.1 The Movement:

But Jones, a former Super Soul Saturday DJ, tells us he can’t stop – if he’s not on air, a whole genre would disappear in the city.

“The question always remained, why don’t we have this 24 hours a day, what do we have to do to do it and basically I went ahead and said let’s see what happens, you know what I mean,” says Jones…

…Jones is staying on air as long as he can before getting fined – his dream is to make the movement legal.

“I have to I have to go forward and see what it is that has to be done to make this happen,” Jones says.

This morning (Thursday), David Bruce continues his reporting on the pirate radio stations in the Times-News, complete with pictures of Jones’s operation. Bruce describes the chain of events leading to the sign-on:

A club disc jockey and former announcer at Gannon University’s WERG-FM, Jones said that he started broadcasting in October because there wasn’t enough urban music being played in Erie.
“Blacks, whites, Hispanics all had a major concern about the type of music played in Erie 24/7,” Jones said. “It was my mission to get this station up and running.”
Jones said that he started broadcasting at the low-frequency limits, then increased power.
“The response from people was so strong that I just turned it up,” Jones said. “Then someone ratted me out to the FCC.”
One problem was that Jones’ signal was intruding on the signals of other, licensed, radio stations, said A.J. Miceli, who oversees WERG as Gannon University’s chairman of theater, communications and fine arts.
What’s a little frightening to me is that the FCC doesn’t need any more incentive to fine these guys; once they find a unlicensed station and cite it, the breaking of Federal law has already occurred. If you happen to have  a kindly Enforcement Agent who will write you a warning first, it’s wise to take that as a blessing and not push the issue. We’ll keep watching this unfold.
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FCC ID’s unlicensed radio operators

Two Notices of Unlicensed Operation were issued on February 2nd by David Viglione, Resident Agent of the Buffalo office of the FCC and are now posted on the Commission’s site. You read the text of the NOUO’s by clicking on each link:

The notices indicated that the operators had to cease operation immediately and that such violation of Federal law…

could subject the operator to severe penalties, including, but not limited to, substantial monetary fines, in rem arrest action against the offending radio equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment.

All of the rationalizations and justifications tend to fade away in the clarity of the FCC seal and citing of United States Code.

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Deep Background for February 14-20, 2010

Your media checklist:

  • check out the new anchor team at 11:00 on WSEE
  • follow the play-by-play of Gannon University’s undefeated woman’s basketball team on WJET-AM
  • enjoy the amazing images from the Vancouver Winter Olympics, including the incredible super slo-mo
  • scan the want ads in the Erie Times-News for the non-existent new media jobs
  • leave a comment at Press and Tower

Remember you can also e-mail me or tweet @pressandtower.

Embrace the chaos!

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Poll: favorite Super Bowl ad?

Some 86% of our poll respondents thought that it would take at least three years, if ever, for local HDTV to arrive in Erie. Meanwhile we will just endure the standard def news and commercial cutaways.

A shocking yet exciting win for the New Orleans Saints last night in the Super Bowl.

It is also the Super Bowl of television advertising, with businesses spending between $2.5 and $3 million per placement. I missed having Pepsi in on the party, but there was some good creative here.

Here was my favorite, from Audi (always loved Cheap Trick!):

What was yours?

Of the USA Today top 10, what was your favorite Super Bowl ad?

  • Mars Snickers/Betty White & Abe Vigoda play football (40%, 16 Votes)
  • Doritos/Dog with bark collar (15%, 6 Votes)
  • Audi A3 TDI/Green Police (13%, 5 Votes)
  • Anheuser-Busch/Clydesdale's friend (10%, 4 Votes)
  • E-Trade/Talking baby explains to girlfriend (10%, 4 Votes)
  • Monster Worldwide/Musical beaver (8%, 3 Votes)
  • Bud Light/House of beer cans (3%, 1 Votes)
  • Bridgestone/Whale cargo (3%, 1 Votes)
  • Coca-Cola/Sleepwalker (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Budweiser/Teamwork bridge (-2%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 40

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Deep Background for February 7-13, 2010

Without a lot of help from me, the readers and commenters here on P&T engaged to another 3,000+ page views this week. Thanks!

On this atypical, relaxing Sunday morning, I have to gush about how much I enjoy the Sunday morning newspaper reading experience. I know that the Erie Times-News gets a lot of criticism from these pixels and other inked spaces, real and virtual. But for me, as I learn about my surroundings from what I call “the everyday miracle” of a published newspaper, my pleasure synapses fire.

This morning, my first read was the Page 1A cover story about the rise of truancy in our city and county. Next, I shared with my wife the snowfall totals in DC, Philly and Baltimore…it’s funny how much glee we Erieites receive when others get buried with snow! A weekly must read for me is the Pat Howard column, who’s cranky take on most issues seems quite reasonable to me. Finally, it’s onto the Editorial pages, where this week the Board has established it’s Agenda 2010.

Do I agree with it all? Certainly not! Do they get it right every time, or do they always keep their bias hidden? No way. But the voice of the Erie Times-News is as valid as any other, and the millions of dollars they invest in newsprint and bandwidth continues to be a cataylist for making Erie “A Better Place.”

Your responses welcome here on this open forum, or email or tweet me.

Embrace the chaos!

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Deep Background for January 31 – February 6, 2010

The FCC investigation and shut down of two pirate radio stations in the Erie city limits is proving to be a controversial topic on this blog.

For some readers (and of course the FCC), the situation is clear: you must have a license to operate a broadcast radio station. For others, it’s more complicated: these stations filled a community need that big corporate radio just neglects.

Let’s continue the conversation about radio, TV, newspaper and internet concerns in Erie and beyond on this open forum in a civil and constructive manner.

As always, in addition to your comments below, you can e-mail me or tweet @pressandtower.

Embrace the chaos.

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Fall ratings: Connoisseur strengthens Erie radio domination

The twice yearly ratings horse race between Star 104 and Classy 100 has turned into a yawner.

The Fall 2009 Arbitron ratings released Friday afternoon confirms the amazingly strong hold that the Connoisseur Media cluster has over Erie radio listeners. Although it’s lead 12+ has softened, WRTS/Star 104 continues as Erie’s most listened to broadcast radio station. Meanwhile the flagship station for the Citadel group in Erie, WXKC/Classy 100 has continued its slide in share of audience over at least five books to be ranked fourth.

The big winner of the Fall was WTWF/93.9 The Wolf who garnered their best book ever, good for second place. Rounding out Connie Media’s top stations was WXBB/Bob FM, who scored their best book since they debuted in 2007.

Been a long time since we rock and rolled the ratings. WRKT/Rocket 101 and WQHZ/Z-102.3 have taken what was 17 shares of listenership two years ago and grinded it down to 11. It looks like Rocket especially hasn’t put the jets onto expanding its base.

As far as AM goes…simply, nothing to see here. While AM stations crush their competition in the markets surrounding us in ratings and billing, our offerings have received no investment from their owner companies and so they got what they paid for.

Finally, the third biggest jump up came from my alma mater WCTL, who scored their best book in memory and is knocking on the door of once-prominent WXTA/Country 98.

You can see all the hard numbers at AllAccess.com (registration required).

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