The FCC Media Bureau seeks comment on Pandora’s...

The FCC Media Bureau seeks comment on Pandora’s petition for a ruling on its foreign ownership status that would let the streaming radio service buy a South Dakota radio station, said a public notice Tuesday (http://bit.ly/1tWQVFN). Though Pandora believes it is less than 25 percent foreign owned, the company can’t prove it to the degree required by the FCC, as highlighted by an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers objection to Pandora’s attempted purchase of KXMZ(FM) Box Elder (CD July 1 p11). Pandora’s petition asks the bureau to issue a declaratory ruling allowing foreign investors to hold up to a 49.99 percent voting interest and 100 percent equity interest in Pandora without additional FCC approval, or a ruling permitting 100 percent foreign equity and voting control without FCC approval, the PN said. Pandora seeks to buy KXMZ to qualify for the same publishing royalty rates as broadcasters, which would allow it to better compete with Clear Channel’s similar service iHeartRadio (CD June 17/13 p16). Comments are due in docket 14-109 on Aug. 28, replies Sept. 29.