1 WBRC – BIRMINGHAM, AL This report covers the time period November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2007 (except where otherwise specifically noted). I. PROGRAMMING a. Local Newscasts: WBRC airs 48 hours of local news year round each week, (with an additional .5 hour weekly during high school football season) at the following times: Monday – Friday 5 a.m. – 9 a.m. Monday – Friday 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. (expanded on 12/3/07) Monday – Friday 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday – Friday 9 p.m. – 10:35 p.m. Friday (August – December) 10:35 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Saturday – Sunday 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday – Sunday 9 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Sunday 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. b. Breaking News: WBRC had several local disasters in the report period, including coverage of a tornado that killed several children (and a visit by the President to inspect the disaster). There were several amber alerts issued, as well as severe weather warnings, and other emergencies. A complete list of breaking news and cut-ins is attached as Exhibit 1. c. Important Local News produced in-studio and aired during the report period include: • Rosa Parks Funeral: The entire funeral for Rosa Parks, an Alabama native and an icon of the Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery, was broadcast live. • Church Fires: Three Birmingham-area college students set fires to nine rural Alabama churches. WBRC did several live reports as investigators looked for those responsible. (Feb. 3 – March 8, 2006) • Mothers of the Movement: A half-hour special report was broadcast to commemorate the lives of Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, two natives of Alabama, who had recently passed away. • McNair Found Guilty: WBRC produced and aired a special cut-in (approximately 40 minutes) of the jury conviction of a Jefferson County Commissioner, who was considered a Civil Rights icon, of using his political position for personal gain. • Officers Shot (1 Killed): Two Fairfield officers responding to a call were shot, killing one female officer and wounding the other. Federal and local law enforcement officers teamed up to locate the suspect. WBRC broadcast descriptions of the suspect and 2 interviewed friends of the victims. The suspect was apprehended the following day, and was subsequently convicted for the crime. (10/23/06) • Tornado Kills 8 at School: After posting and airing numerous severe weather alerts, a tornado touched down at a school just south of Birmingham and killed eight children. Two days later, WBRC covered the visit by President Bush to the school in Enterprise. The station also produced in-studio and aired the following programs of local interest in the report period: • 2006 Mercedes Marathon Coverage • FOX6 Talladega Thunder (4/30/2006 and 4/29/07)) • Idol Finale Countdown (5/24/2006) • FOX6 Sideline (2006, 2007) • A Good Day Christmas (12/25/2006) • FOX6 Kids & Jobs (4/13/2007) • FOX6 Sports Special (Lane College vs. Miles) (10/13/2007) d. Political Programming: WBRC aired debates, town hall meetings and provided viewers with continuous programming during the visit of President Bush in the Fall of 2006. Examples of political coverage during the report period are: • Jefferson County Flood Plan: Discussions on flood prevention lead to a heated public meeting before the Jefferson County Commission. The commission unanimously approved a business backed flood prevention plan. • Hoover Budget Meeting: The City of Hoover approved a vote that gives city employees a pay raise. (9/18/06) • Election coverage: FOX6 You Decide 2006 (11/6/2006) An extensive list of political programming aired during the report period is attached as Exhibit 3. e. Awards and Recognition: Alabama Associated Press Broadcasters Association Award (2005) 2 Southeast Regional EMMY Awards (2005) 3 Southeast Regional EMMY Awards (2006) 4 Alabama Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards (2006) 4 RTNDA Regional Awards (2007) A comprehensive list of awards and recognition is attached as Exhibit 4. II. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) 3 WBRC makes its air-time available at no charge to public service announcements PSAs. a. For the period June 11, 2007 to June 24, 2007, 130:15 minutes of PSAs were aired on WBRC, such as: • Alabama Foster Care • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (education & awareness) • FBL –Character, Honesty and Generosity • Ruben Studdard Foundation • UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center b. For the period January 8-21, 2007, WBRC aired 65:15 minutes of charities and community organizations, such as: • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (education and awareness) • Blood Donations • City Stages • Drug Use Prevention, Meth • Girls/Boys Town Hotlines • Magic Moments c. PSAs were specifically targeted or requested by community groups or addressing local issues. For the period June 11, 2007 to June 24, 2007, WBRC aired 19:20 minutes on behalf of these organizations. For the period January 8-21, 2007, 14:40 minutes of PSAs were aired at no charge on behalf of the requesting organization. Examples of PSAs aired during the two report periods were: • Mercedes Marathon, benefits Kid One Transport and The Bell Center: Kid One Transport, an organization that provides transportation for families in need of medical care for their children. The Bell Center offers treatment for hundreds of babies in the central Alabama area who are born prematurely, or with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and other genetic disorders. • Renew Our Rivers: A partnership with Alabama Power Company and local homeowners/boat owners associations aimed at cleaning up local waterways. III. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND ASCERTAINMENTS WBRC employees, including talent, participate on the boards or in community organizations, volunteer efforts, appearances, and community events, examples of which are as follows: • Emcee, Birmingham Business Journal, Business award program • Reader, JCCEO kindergarten class • Panelist, Project Corporate Leadership, panelist 4 • Emcee, Sun Valley Elementary School Spelling Bee, Emcee Station employees, including on-air talent and management, participate as members of directors of the following organizations: • Alabama A & M University, Communications Advisory Board • March of Dimes, State Board • University of Alabama School of Communication, Board of Visitors • Jacksonville State University – Jr. Board of Trustees • Kid One Transport - Formerly VP of Board Station employees, including on-air talent and management, participate as members of directors of the following diversity organization: • Birmingham Association of Black Journalists • National Association of Black Journalists • National Council of Negro Women WBRC was the media sponsor of many charity drives, including the collection of toys at Christmas for needy families, raising money by participating in sporting competitions (i.e., marathons), and participating in local parades and fundraiser. A comprehensive list of communication with the community and a list of ascertainments is attached as Exhibit 5. IV. WEBSITE WBRC’s website, www.MyFoxAL.com, posts on-line, live streaming of all local newscasts. During severe weather outbreaks and/or public safety situations that would require programming interruptions, coverage is streamed on www.MyFoxAL.com and www.MyFoxStorm.com. Chat boxes are located next to all streaming news, and In-house talent and station employees interact with users through blogs, dialogue and e-mails. Through www.MyFoxStorm.com, the station offers to the minute weather conditions, radar maps and live video and weather conditions. All weather webcasts are streamed live. WBRC produced in-studio and offers live, local sports talk show radio internet users to e-mail users at www.MyFoxFinebaum.com. Additionally, there is a daily poll available on www.MyFoxAL.com, where users are encourage to vote and to blog their thoughts on the topic of the day. The results of the informal poll and blog comments are then aired in newscasts. News tips are received by phone, email and through WBRC’s website. Many station employees are involved with local minority or community groups. 5 Then station hosts annual town hall meetings across the viewing area to inform and discuss safety during severe weather events. 6 EXHIBIT 1 WBRC – BIRMINGHAM, AL BREAKING NEWS AND CUT-INS Date Start Time End Time Discrepancy Explanation 1:28:37 11/2/2005 1:00:07 PM Local Report Rosa Parks Funeral COPS # 1 did not air PM 1:58:33 11/2/2005 1:30:07 PM Local Report Rosa Parks Funeral COPS # 2 did not air PM 2:28:29 11/2/2005 2:00:03 PM Local Report Rosa Parks Funeral J.Joe # 2 did not air PM 2:58:31 11/2/2005 2:30:03 PM Local Report Rosa Parks Funeral J.Alex # 2 did not air PM 3:28:27 Rosa Parks Funeral J.Judy /second run 11/2/2005 3:00:01 PM Local Report PM did not air 3:58:30 11/2/2005 3:30:01 PM Local Report Rosa Parks Funeral J,Alex # 1 did not air PM 4:27:56 11/2/2005 3:59:30 PM Local Report Rosa Parks Funeral J.Judy did not air PM Rosa Parks Funeral J.I.P. Divorce Ct did 4:44:00 11/2/2005 4:29:00 PM Local Report not air break 1 or update, added # 2313 PM for time 11:01:41 Severe WX 11/28/2005 11:00:00 AM Severe WX Cut In AM Report 11:01:25 Severe WX 11/28/2005 11:30:00 AM Severe WX Cut In AM Report 12:27:55 Severe WX Newscast Went Over J.I.P. Divorce Ct In 11/28/2005 12:27:20 PM PM Report Progress 1:01:46 Severe WX 11/28/2005 1:00:00 PM Severe WX Cut In PM Report 1:32:02 Severe WX 11/28/2005 1:30:00 PM Severe WX Cut In PM Report 3:00:00 Severe WX Dead rolled "Judge Judy".