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 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  03-  88 
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS 


 Re:  Application  of  Birmingham  Christian  Radio,  Inc.,  Assignor,  and  Radio  South,  Inc.,  Assignee,  for  Consent  to  Assignment  of  License  of  WSPZ  (AM),  Tuscaloosa,  AL 
 I  support  this  transfer  of  WSPZ  to  Radio  South  despite  the  significant  levels  of  market  concentration  that  will  result  from  this  transaction,  because  the  parties  have  made  an  adequate  showing  to 
 demonstrate  that  WSPZ  is  a  “failing  station”  which  would  otherwise  go  silent.  The  community  will  receive  a  tangible  benefit  from  WSPZ  remaining  viable  and  on  the  air,  and  I  am  heartened  by  Radio 
 South’s  commitment  to  serve  the  50+  audience  with  public  affairs,  local  news,  weather,  and  other  information  not  presently  available  to  those  residents  of  Tuscaloosa. 


 When  harm  to  competition  is  likely  to  result  from  any  transaction,  the  Commission  must  assure  itself  with  as  much  certainty  as  is  possible  that,  despite  the  harm  to  competition,  the  transaction  will 
 nonetheless  serve  the  public  interest,  convenience  and  necessity.  I  find  that  to  be  the  case  here. 
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