UNDERWRITING RULES
Principle Broadcasting Foundation
Underwriting messages serve to identify corporate supporters. These announcements include our required preamble plus a 15 to 25 second message naming your business along with a brief description.
Underwriting Guidelines
In the world of public radio, we refer to the announcements aired live on our stations, which identify a particular funding source and a value-neutral description of their business, as enhanced underwriting credits. The Federal Communications Commission has articulated specific guidelines emphasizing the difference between these permissible donor and underwriter announcements and commercial advertising. In order to maintain compliance with the Commission’s regulations, Principle Broadcasting Foundation Radio observes the following rules:
Announcements containing price information are not permissible such as
“7% interest rates now available.”
Announcements may not contain “call to action” specials or enticements.
Announcements containing an inducement to buy are promotional in nature and disallowed such as “Special gift for the first 10 calls.”
Announcements may not include comparative or qualitative language such as "we are the best".
In recognition of the non-commercial nature of educational broadcasting and its own non-profit mission, KDRP will also exercise restraint in composing and presenting underwriter announcements. For example, their length will be limited to a preamble plus 15 TO 25 seconds for no more than 30 seconds; they will be delivered in live or recorded live fashion; they will not contain audio logos, jingles, sound effects, or commercial radio jargon and hype.
All underwriting copy will be approved prior to air by KDRP staff members and we reserve the right to edit all copy on and on air announcements in order to meet FCC rules.
What is permissible? Underwriting announcements may include a factual description of the products or services provided by the business including brand names. It may include the address, phone or web address. In some instances Non comparative slogans may be used. In the case of a special event, it may include time, date, and place, as well as ticket reservation information. Sample credits follow:
Our programming is funded in part by listener members and by The Austin Ballet, presenting Swan Lake Ballet, performed by The Moscow Festival Ballet, March 5 at 8pm at the Bass Concert Hall. Tickets to the ballet presentation of Swan Lake are available at Ticketmaster at 555-1234.
KDRP broadcast operations are funded in part by Baylor University. Professionals with master’s degrees working in business, education and health career are earning PhDs on weekends. Applications and information for the fall semester are available on the web today at Baylor.edu.org