Radio Broadcast Authorization in Shelbyville, Kentucky, Revoked by the FCC
FCC Revokes License of La Pantera 940 Radio Station in Kentucky
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revoked the license of WCND(AM) radio station, known as La Pantera 940, in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The decision comes after years of unpaid regulatory fees, totaling $9,261.
For over a decade, WCND(AM) served the eastern suburbs in the Louisville metropolitan area, airing a Regional Mexican radio format. However, the station's failure to pay regulatory fees for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022, and 2023 led to the revocation of its license.
The Communications Act grants the FCC the authority to revoke licenses for failure to pay regulatory fees. This power has been exercised in the past, with other Kentucky AM stations, such as WEKC-AM in Williamsburg, KY, being deleted from FCC records (DWKEC) after failing to pay regulatory fees and complete required filings.
Stations that fail to pay regulatory fees can face escalating enforcement measures from the FCC. These measures may include fines, orders to pay or show cause, and ultimately, license revocation. In the case of WCND(AM), the FCC issued an Order to Pay or Show Cause on April 30, requiring evidence of full payment of the regulatory fee debt owed or a justification for the unpaid fees.
Despite this order, WCND did not respond, leading to the revocation of its license on July 25. The FCC did not accept any payment plan or deferred payment arrangement from the licensee, Pedro Arce, for the regulatory fee debt owed by WCND.
The FCC's decision to revoke WCND's license is a reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance for broadcast stations. The FCC emphasizes that licensees are fully responsible for fee payments and compliance, regardless of internal employee errors or other excuses.
In light of this, stations that fail to pay regulatory fees risk facing similar consequences. These may include fines, orders to pay or show cause, and ultimately, license suspension or revocation, as seen in the case of WCND(AM) and other Kentucky stations.
As of the given date, Arce has not paid any of the debts or filed a written response to the order. The FCC has not provided any indication of plans to reconsider or re-evaluate the revocation of WCND's license. As a result, La Pantera 940 is no longer operational.
References: [1] FCC Enforcement Actions: WCND(AM) [2] FCC Revokes License of WEKC-AM in Williamsburg, KY [3] FCC Fines Stations for Regulatory Compliance Failures
- The revocation of La Pantera 940's license serves as a stark example of the severe consequences that the media industry, particularly radio stations like WCND(AM), face when they fail to adhere to financial obligations towards the FCC, such as regulatory fees, which are an essential aspect of the banking-and-insurance sector that supports the operations of the communications industry.
- The ongoing trend of license revocation for unpaid regulatory fees observed in the media industry, as demonstrated by cases like WCND(AM) and WEKC-AM, might subsequently influence the confidence of investors in the radio sector, potentially impacting its broader financial stability and growth within the broader economy.
