[BC] Fox to run "blinks"

[Rich Wood]

------ At 07:53 PM 8/22/2006, Dan Kelley wrote: -------

>I'm assuming this isn't quite accurate.  Airing a simple Simpsons
>"Duh" as a commercial does not satisfy the FCC sponsorship ID rules...

Is the word "Duh" in Homer Simpson's voice technically a commercial? 
I know it would violate the spirit of the rule but an argument by a 
company with more attorneys than the population of most small nations 
could probably make the case that it's just a sound effect ... unless 
they log it as a spot. I assume they're billing FOX for blinking, so 
some kind of paperwork would have to be involved. The phrase "The 
Simpsons on FOX" would probably be OK by the sponsor ID rules.

I asked myself the same question and came up with it being a way 
around the "less is more" stuff. I disagree with the top honcho on 
length being more important an irritant than the number of elements. 
Every research project I've seen over many years has indicated that 
the number of elements in an hour is what results in clutter more 
than the length of the individual elements.

I guess we'll know soon, since the FCC is in "reduce the deficit by 
fining stations" mode. Let's say the fine is $4000. That's 1100 
stations times $4000. A good day's income for the FCC. I assume 
they'll fine on a per incident basis, so it's continuous income and a 
fine source of pork.

Rich