WBUZ (defunct)

Infobox Radio station
name = WBUZ


city = Fredonia
area = Western New York
branding = "1570 The Buzz"
slogan = "The Sound of the Country"
airdate =
frequency = 1570 (kHz)
format = Country
power = 250 watts (day)
143 watts (night)
class = C
callsign_meaning = BUZz
former_callsigns =
owner = Henry Serafin
webcast =
website =
affiliations =

WBUZ (1570 AM, "1570 The Buzz") is a now-defunct radio station that was based in Fredonia, New York. The station was privately owned by Henry Serafin.

Revocation of licenses

In September 1985, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers revoked WBUZ's license to play songs by ASCAP artists due to Serafin defaulting on royalty payments. WBUZ continued to air the songs and Serafin was sued. [cite web |title=Barnaby Music v. Catoctin Broadcasting |url=http://www.studentweb.law.ttu.edu/Cochran/cochran/Cases%20&%20Readings/Copyright-UNT/barnaby.htm] By 1989, residents complained that Serafin was running contests and not awarding the stated prizes, racist statements and employment actions perpetrated by the owner, as well as violating the Fairness Doctrine. [cite news |url=http://www.freepress.net/news/5083 |title=Revoking licenses rare |work=Baltimore Sun] Because of this, the FCC revoked WBUZ's license and the station went silent. (WBUZ is believed to be the last station to have its license revoked over the doctrine.)Fact|date=May 2008

The WBUZ calls would end up on a short-lived AM station in Terre Haute, Indiana, five years later. That station existed only under a construction permit and is also defunct. There now a WBUZ licensed in the Nashville, Tennessee, area.

References