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FCC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 satellite radio capability in most all radio equipment. “Sales in Columbia have doubled in the past year,” said King. Satellite radio equipment costs about $160 and about $10 a month to subscribe. Satellite radio’s newfound pop ularity, along with the Internet file sharing, casts a shadow over corporate radio, said Michael Bracy, director of Government Relations for the Future of Music Coalition. “The airwaves are free and we shouldn’t have to settle out to pay for something different,” said Bracy. “It’s interesting to think that local radio is so bad that local people are willing to pay $10 a month to hear satellite,” Bracy said. Last month the FCC estab lished new broadcast ownership policies, eliminating cross-own ership restrictions in large cities that prevented any one company from owning both a TV station and a newspaper or radio station. The decision also allows any indi vidual broadcast company to reach 45 percent of the national audience, as opposed to the previ ous 35 percent cap. Last week, however, the House voted 400-21 to prevent the FCC from raising media ownership to the new 45 percent cap by block ing the necessary funding. The Senate vote is not expected until after Labor Day. WNOK Director T. J. McKay sites satellite radio and the Internet as a needed challenge. “It makes radio workJiarder to play the best music and examine new artists and new styles of music,” said McKay. “It’s definitely a pos itive thing.” WNOK is owned by Clear Channel, which owns about 1200 stations nationwide. McKay said he isn’t worried about satellite radio. “We offer so much more than Internet and satel lite as far as local content—weath er, traffic, news, contests,” he said. “These are things that Internet and satellite don’t offer.” Consolidation is a hotly debat ed subject in the music industry. According to Jenny Toomey of the Future of Music Coalition, dereg ulation of the radio industry “has led to less competition, fewer viewpoints and less diversity in programming.” The level of professionalism has increased with consolidation, how ever, said Dave Stewart, program director of WARQ, which is owned by Inner City Broadcasting. “There are more choices now than when I was here in 1992,” he said. “A lot more choices.” “When you consolidate a lot of stations under an umbrella, you really want them to perform and have a separate niche,” said Bill McElveen, general manager of Citadel Broadcasting, which owns four stations in Columbia. “The advantage of working for Clear Channel is the resources all over the country for marketing, promotional tools and music in formation,” said McKay. “We’re very informed. And 100 percent of our content is focused on what Columbia wants.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudeskCdihotmail.com POLICE REPORT Each number on the map stands for a crime corresponding with numbered descriptions in the list below. DAY CRIMES (6a.m.-6 p.m.) □ Violent O Nonviolent NIGHT CRIMES (6p.m.-6a.m.) ■ Violent • Nonviolent CRIMES AT UNKNOWN HOURS 0 Violent © Nonviolent These reports are taken directly from the USC Police Department Compiled by Gabrielle Sinclair. Wednesday, July 23 0 LARCENY OF LICENSE PLATE. 1328 WHEAT ST. Complainant stated that unknown person(s) did remove her license plate from her vehicle. Reporting officer N.U. Beza. Sunday, July 27 0 CHEMICAL EXPLOSION. 631 SUMTER ST. Reporting officer Friels responded to a fire alarm call in which the fire panel indicated that the building was in general alarm. Once on scene, Friels observed a large flow of water flowing from the room and the sprinkler system was activated. Columbia fire department was notified and responded to the scene. Monday, July 28 (5) INFORMATION. (OFF MAP) JULIAN’S PUCE. Complainant stated that unknown subject walked past her window to the edge of the woods, turned, looked at her and waved, sat on the ground, and slid down the hill and crossed the road. Reporting officer: R.B. Baker. © MALICIOUS INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY. 937 ASSEMBLY ST. Unknown person(s) by unknown means did strike the glass door on the south side of the building, causing multiple cracks in the glass. Estimated damage: $100. ® LARCENY OF TOOLS. 1112 GREENEST. Victim stated that unknown person(s) did remove the following: a Milwaukee Cordless drill with two batteries and charger, a Black and flecker cordless drill with two batteries and charger, a red cordless dril with two batteries and charger, and a chrome deep well socket set in a blue metal tray. Total estimated value: $805. Reporting officer: J.B. Coaxum. © SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. 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