A trio of AM radio stations across the South have each been ordered by Washington to pay their overdue regulatory fees, plus interest and any administrative costs, right now.
If not, the FCC has agreed move forward with a license revocation hearing.
Individual orders to pay or show cause were dispatched Tuesday (8/27) by Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey and FCC Managing Director Mark Stephens that officially notifies each of the AMs that a license revocation proceeding has been initiated.
One was sent to The Sportzmax Inc., licensee of WDSP-AM 1280 in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., serving the Fort Walton Beach-Destin market with Sports programming.
According to the Media Bureau, Sportzmax failed to pay regulatory fees in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012, totaling $2,521.56.
Demand letters were not responded to.
A second one was sent to Christian Broadcasting of DeRidder, licensee of KDLA-AM 1010 in DeRidder, La. Now silent, this one-time Top 40 station near Lake Charles, La., owes regulatory fees for FY 2010, FY 2012, FY 2013, FY 2014, FY 2015, and FY 2016, totaling $7,815.05.
The third letter was sent to Heidelberg Broadcasting, licensee of WVOL-AM 1470, an Urban Oldies station serving the Nashville market from Berry Hill, Tenn.
WVOL’s transgressions go back 12 years, as the Media Bureau notes it is delinquent on regulatory fees for FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009. It owes $10,902.35 — for money that should have been paid a decade ago.
