FCC Changes Contest Rules

You know this annoying 30 second disclaimers that explain radio contest rules in excruciating detail? Good news. The FCC is now (finally) going to allow those rules to be put on-line. From today's RAMP newsletter...

Those forward-thinking folks at the FCC have taken those old fashioned sepia-tone radio contest rules and colorized them for the digital age, a move that now allows broadcasters to post contest rules online as a terrific alternative to the way it's been done for nearly 40 years -- boring people to death by broadcasting them over the air. In making the big announcement, someone at the FCC said, "Adopted in 1976, the Contest Rule requires broadcasters to disclose important contest information fully and accurately, and to conduct contests substantially as announced. Today's rule change preserves these requirements, but modernizes how broadcast stations can meet their disclosure obligation by announcing their contest terms over the air or by posting that information on an Internet website. The Order also adopts related implementing rules, including the requirement that broadcasters periodically announce over the air the website address where their contest rules can be found."

Hang on... there's more -- the statement goes on to explain, "The FCC began this rulemaking in response to the dramatic changes that have occurred in the way Americans obtain information since the Contest Rule was adopted almost four decades ago. The rule changes give broadcast stations more flexibility in the way they comply with the Contest Rule, and give consumers a more convenient way to obtain contest information normally aired through television and radio advertisements."