“Magic” Runs Into FCC Over Tower Lighting Violations

 Magic Broadcasting, licensee of WILN(FM), Panama, City, FL, agreed to pay $125,000 to resolve an FCC investigation into whether the broadcaster violated several tower lighting regulations. To resolve the issue and end the Enforcement Bureau probe, Magic agreed to pay a civil penalty, admitted it violated part 17 of the Commission’s rules and certified that each tower it owns or operates from is compliant with part 17. The broadcaster also agreed to enter into a compliance plan.

The bureau said the Consent Decree will promote aviation safety near towers.

The case began last fall, when the agency received an anonymous complaint that the tower had not been properly lit for more than a year. An agent from the Miami Field Office began to investigate and found that the company registered on file as the tower owner was no longer in business. In researching the current owner, the agent discovered that WVFT was licensed to operate from the tower and that WVFT was licensed to Magic Broadcasting. Continue Reading