A study was conducted to investigate the complex influences which converge on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The literature revealed that in the past, most attempts by individuals or groups to have a voice in the renewal of a broadcaster's license met with failure because the FCC generally abandoned both its formulated policy and its evaluated standards in favor of a general bias toward the licensee. During 1963-1973 there were over 250 petitions filed with the FCC, but the bulk were either dismissed or withdrawn. In this study, a questionnaire was completed for 230 cases brought before the FCC by individuals or groups outside the broadcasting industry, and economic information was collected for each licensee involved. The analysis produced support for the hypothesis that the FCC will generally favor those parties who have the greatest financial investment at risk as a result of the commission action and will generally be more responsive to the appeals of organizations with high national visibility in areas other than broadcasting. A bibliography of 19 items is included. (Author/DS)