BREAKUP OF THE CLEARS

Here are stories related to the desire to maximize broadcast coverage.  A group of broadcasters assigned as sole operators on a number of United States “Clear Channels” wanted authorized powers in line with other countries (100 kilowatts-plus).  In spite of an intense lobbying campaign the FCC and the Congress instead authorized a maximum power of 50 kilowatts and began the process of adding secondary stations to the “Clears.”  Since most of the sole operators were east of the Mississippi, the secondary stations provided the first wide-area coverage in some areas of the West.  The “Clear Channel Matter” below tells the story in detail.