Report No. MM95-4            MASS MEDIA ACTION             January 13, 1995


            COMMISSION UPHOLDS DISMISSAL OF PHILLIP GOLDBERG'S 
                  COMPLAINT AGAINST WMAQ(AM), CHICAGO, IL

     The FCC has denied Phillip Goldberg's application for review
of the Mass Media Bureau's dismissal of his complaint against
WMAQ(AM), Chicago, IL.  Goldberg had alleged that Group W,
licensee of WMAQ(AM),had conducted its 1991 "Grand Slam
Sweepstakes" in a misleading and deceptive manner, in violation
of the Commission's contest rule.

     Goldberg had alleged, among other things, that the station's
description of a "$1 million cash" prize was misleading or
deceptive because payments were actually to be made in
installments.  Goldberg had also alleged misstatements concerning
the number of installments to be paid; misstatements concerning
the odds of winning; failure to reveal arrangements for a third
party to pay the prize; and improper distribution of game cards
and selection of winning numbers.

     The Commission said it agreed  with the Bureau's conclusions
that the evidence did not support a finding that WMAQ had
violated the contest rule.  The prize description in all the game
cards and many of the contest announcements made clear that the
winner would be paid in installments.  The possible ambiguity
concerning the number of installments did not amount to a rule
violation.  Further, the contest rule does not require a station
to state the odds of winning or to reveal its payment
arrangements using a third party payor.  As to Goldberg's other
allegations, the Commission agreed they were merely speculative.

     Action by the Commission January 6, 1995, by Memorandum
Opinion and Order (FCC 95-10).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners
Quello, Barrett, Ness, and Chong.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 418-0500.
     Mass Media Bureau contact: Marcia Diamond at (202) 632-3922.