Submitted by Stephen Bingham (not verified) on March 3, 2008 - 7:11pm.
The part of the McCain FCC story that seems pertinent to the WYPR story involves proposed license transfers. Pittsburgh public television station WQED would sell one of its two licenses to a second broadcaster who would then transfer it to a third broadcaster. Morning Edition had a story last Friday (storyID=87783425). Jerrold Starr, Director of Citizens For Independent Public Broadcasting, was a community activist who was concerned about this. I don't know anything about Mr. Starr but he sounds like the sort of person who could have been a guest on Marc's show. I also don't know what Tony Brandon's plans are for his three licenses. He hasn't apparently been willing to disclose "the sequence of events that led to the sudden cancellation of Marc's show". Since Brandon isn't talking, I am unwilling to assume that the sequence of events relates primarily to Marc and his show and may have a lot more to do with his plans for these licenses. I have heard that satellite radio wants part of the FM spectrum currently reserved for public radio to be reserved instead for its customers. This includes 88.1. This may be a rumor with no basis in fact but, if it isn't, the loss of Marc's show may be merely the tip of the iceburg.
The part of the McCain FCC
The part of the McCain FCC story that seems pertinent to the WYPR story involves proposed license transfers. Pittsburgh public television station WQED would sell one of its two licenses to a second broadcaster who would then transfer it to a third broadcaster. Morning Edition had a story last Friday (storyID=87783425). Jerrold Starr, Director of Citizens For Independent Public Broadcasting, was a community activist who was concerned about this. I don't know anything about Mr. Starr but he sounds like the sort of person who could have been a guest on Marc's show. I also don't know what Tony Brandon's plans are for his three licenses. He hasn't apparently been willing to disclose "the sequence of events that led to the sudden cancellation of Marc's show". Since Brandon isn't talking, I am unwilling to assume that the sequence of events relates primarily to Marc and his show and may have a lot more to do with his plans for these licenses. I have heard that satellite radio wants part of the FM spectrum currently reserved for public radio to be reserved instead for its customers. This includes 88.1. This may be a rumor with no basis in fact but, if it isn't, the loss of Marc's show may be merely the tip of the iceburg.