Metv FM COMMENTS
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Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Amendment of the Commission's Rules to ) MB Docket No. 03-185 Establish Rules for Digital Low Power ) Television, Television Translator, and ) Television Booster Stations and to Amend ) Rules for Digital Class A Television Stations ) MeTV FM COMMENTS MeTV FM, a Channel 6 format on WRME-LP in Chicago, IL, provides a service to older listeners and advertisers who want to reach them.1 To support a request that the FCC will continue the opportunity of providing distinctive programming to underserved audiences on Channel 6, MeTV FM hereby provides the following information. I. Distinctive Programming for an Underserved Audience MeTV FM was launched five years ago in Chicago and is already one of Chicago’s Top Rated Stations. Baby Boomers are the target audience for our unique programming strategy that includes more 3,000 songs of family friendly hits and forgotten tracks from the 50’s, 60’s 70s and 80s. According to Nielsen’s Audio Fall 2019 Report, more than 600,000 people listen to MeTV FM in the Chicago DMA each week, and of those 600,000 listeners, over 45,000 exclusively listen to MeTV FM, and not another single station in the Chicago DMA. Moreover, more than 200,000 people in the Chicago DMA report that MeTV FM is their preferred station. Our loyal listeners spend on average 3 hours and 15 minutes listening to 87.7 FM in Chicago each week. Attached is a “MeTV FM Listener Comments” Exhibit with more than one hundred twenty five submissions from our listeners in the Chicago DMA that express why MeTV FM is significant to them – all of which were received in just the past week alone. These comments illustrate the unique and impactful offering that we provide to this underserved audience. II. Significance to Community and Economic Benefits Because of our wide reach, MeTV FM aspires to be a bellwether in broadcasting with news briefs and the only 24/7 weather radar for those who don’t have access to cable or cell phones. We have received numerous awards from the Illinois Broadcasters Association for our creativity and most importantly, our commitment to the community. In 2019 alone, we were nominated for five awards, including best radio PSA for a PSA we produced for the Chicago Fire Department, 1 Me-TV Music LLC (“MeTV FM”) is a subsidiary of Weigel Broadcasting Co., an independent family owned media company. and the Best Radio Station for Community Service for helping raise tens of thousands in funds for the Save the Music Foundation, a non-profit that provides musical instruments and music education to underserved youth. In addition, based on the audience that we built, we now have more than 300 local advertisers that range from growing small businesses who may be priced out from legacy stations, to niche buyers that want to reach our unique demo, such as in health and senior services. We employ a team of sales associates focused exclusively on connecting businesses in our community with advertising opportunities on MeTV FM and a team of programming and engineering staff to lead our on-air efforts. III. Significance of Channel 6 Platform to Reach Audience Without the ability to provide audio programming on Channel 6 in Chicago, we would not be able to meet the demand from local listeners and businesses, and most importantly, to serve our community. Simply said, other opportunities to program our station on the FM dial in the Chicago DMA are economically unrealistic. And, if we ceased to exist, it is unlikely a Chicago radio station would fill our void as the prejudice against music programming for older adults is widespread, and many major radio stations and groups cannot or will not take the risks of serving this demographic. *** We appreciate the Commission’s attention on MB Docket No. 03-185, and we hope the FCC will continue to support the opportunity of providing distinctive programming to underserved audiences on Channel 6. Respectfully Submitted, ME-TV MUSIC LLC By: s/Evan Fieldman/s President January 17, 2020 EXHIBIT METV FM LISTENER COMMENTS January 10, 2020 – January 17, 2020 Full Names and Contact Information Available Upon Request 1. (Brian) You're offering a selection of music that has been unavailable on the airwaves for years. Given the current political climate, your station offers respite from the endless barrage of bad news. I enjoy the familiar songs, but mostly I love the obscure songs such as Come Saturday Morning, or I Will Always Think About You. I also really appreciate the brief commentary on artists, and the fact that you intentionally group the commercials as a whole at the end of the hour. I applaud all of the decisions made to achieve this incredible. 2. (Pat) Happy Birthday MeTV/FM, I am now a senior and grew up during the time of what I call the "Great Music." We knew all the words and danced every new dance. Every day, when I listen to MeTV/FM, I can recall every wonderful memory that took place with each song at the time it was popular. Although, those memories are now miles away, you bring happiness to me every day. 3. (Bill) I could tell you how much the timeless music that you play means to me and how it reminds me of important stages and people in my life past and present, but that would take more than just a few words so I'm going to come in at a different angle and tell you what I really appreciate about MeTV FM. Anyone can play the music on the radio but what makes your station so special is all of the extras that you added to the music. Especially when you fill in the details about a certain artist or a certain song or a certain decade. That's what I like listening to. And the people that you have on your station have the most extraordinary and soothing voices. When you hear them on the radio it's like hearing family talk. Thank you for all that you do. 4. (Paula) Thank you for bringing all these wonderful songs back to us. When I hear Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World", I think of the time I was driving from the South back to Chicago. I looked out the window at this beautiful country and was truly thankful. - And I love all the history of the musicians and singers. Keep up the great work you all do. Sincerely - Paula 5. (Chris) I just wanted to tell you that I only listen to your radio station in the car. Last week I bought a brand new Buick Enclave. The salesman was shocked because before I would purchase the car I made him show me that I could listen to my MeTV radio in the new car. I love my new car and I love your radio station. Keep it going! 6. (Wayne & Geri) A very Happy Birthday and many more. We can't live without your music in the background. It brightens up our day and night. Thank You, Wayne & Geri 7. (Jane) Thank you for finding and playing older tunes that would otherwise be lost. I love hearing Tommy Edwards again! And, theme from A Summer Place. Those and others bring back memories. When my brother was here last year he found your station and loved it too. He is from the Oregon Coast, and said there was nothing like where he is. Thanks for all you do. 8. (Sue) Your radio station has brought back sooo many memories. From songs that I listened to as a child to songs I disco as young adult. A few times I had to pull over as I have not heard that song since childhood. Your music has that kind of influence. Our age group (boomers) does not have any radio stations that are cater to us. Keep up the good work & I will still listen! 9. (Carl) I've been with you from day one. I remember finding out about 87.7 from the print media. They were wondering who the DJ was going to be. It's the music! Don't let it stop! 10. (John) OMG! Listening to your station sends me right back to my wonderful childhood memories. Being a 56 year old married man, love is still in my heart & always wants to come out via hearing good songs on the radio. I can't stop telling everyone to listen to 87.7 FM. Thank you. Keep on doing what you are doing. I LOVE IT! 11. (No name) Just wanted to tell what METV means to me: Everyday when I walked into my 93 year old moms house she was always listening to your station. She listened for as long as you have been on I would bet. Now that.shes not with us anymore my wife and I both have METV set on our cars.Thanks from my mom & us. 12. (Jody) I love MeTVFM!!! I’m 35, but I grew up listening to the oldies. It was much better than the music my counterparts were listening to at the time(!), and it still is!!! I always feel good while listening to MeTVFM and hope that it’s still on the air for many years to come! I love hearing songs that I haven’t heard since my childhood, songs I’m learning to love, and songs I’ve never heard before. I also enjoy hearing trivia about songs and artists who were born on that specific day.