"Mike" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 04 Dec 2004 05:50:08 GMT, "David Eduardo"
wrote:

XETRA's US rights (similar to an LMA) are being sold by Clear Channel...
as
you speculate below. This is absolute and confirmed.

I'm curious...I've heard this is actually being forced for regulatory
reasons...the reason being that the Mexican signals give CC *way* over
the number of allowed signals in the San Diego market, and that
someone's "finally" realizing that as far as the feds are concerned.
(DOJ, perhaps?) Is this true?

The simple version is, "yes." The new FCC rules (on appeal) would
definitely prohibit, and there are additional issues involved. So, Clear
channel is simply divesting its interests (which are not ownership, just
rights).

I know that to be able to program the signals, a U.S. operator has to
file papers somewhere with the FCC. And I know the major U.S.
operators with signals they program across the border generally treat
the operations as if they were FCC licensed U.S. signals.

No, there is no FCC approval needed to operate a station in Mexico. There is
a requirement to get a permit to oriiginate programming in the US that will
be rebroadcast back to the US on a foreign transmitter. It is a mere
formality. Mexicans stations are treated as what they are, Mexican stations
that music comply with Mexican boradcast law and all other aspects of the
Mexican legal system.

(And one other silly question - are the Mexican signals still required
to air "The Mexican National Hour" on Sunday nights? I thought I
heard this went away recently, perhaps coinciding with the new
presidential administration south of the border.)

Yes. They are. And up to 4 minutes per hour of government PSAs, too.

While CCU will transfer the US rights to the X stations, they will keep
the
intellectual property of the programming. So Z-90 or any of the other
formats might replace the existing format on one o fthe US licensed Clear
Channel SD stations. It is unlikely that John Lynch will get 690.

He keeps making noises about it, but it sounds like he isn't going to
get it.

I doubt it. anyting possible.

And though CC is not replicating "XTRA Sports" on an existing San
Diego based frequency, instead consolidating it on 570/L.A., they
COULD...if they wanted to.

I think they believe that a battle against 50 kw XEPRS is not a good idea.