I have a hypothetical question to ask this radio message board.

Radio stations have given away large sums of cash and prizes. It continues depending upon the format, however, here's my question.

Everyone is human and mistakes are made. I'm not referring to mild cheating such as WLS-FM taking the 14th caller instead of the 94th to recognize their FM dial position to win free concert tickets. Disclaimer: I'm using WLS-FM as an EXAMPLE. This could be **any** radio station.

If a contest was inadvertently ruined due to a DJ's inattention or other error, are these grounds for dismissal? Perhaps playing an unauthorized record which breaks the format without prior authorization?

I've heard stations give away everything from exotic vacations, cars, tons of cash and more.

If the prize were awarded to the wrong listener after an investigation was conducted, what is the process? The judge's decision is final. There's a lot of legal language.

I find it hard to think a station would award two luxury cars or twice the cash promised as part of the prize package.

To the readers/moderators: Are you aware of any legitimate radio contest which somehow derailed? Were there any repucussions? Does the program director/music director/marketing director take a hands-on approach to the larger contests?

I recognize the big radio corporations now run contests which involve their stations across the country by dialing a special number.

My original contribution has more to do with radio of yesterday...before one company owned five or six stations in one market.