Contest Rules

Beat The Buzzer Official Rules

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Beat the Buzzer - Win Cash plus tickets to Summer jam

HOT 97 “BUZZER BEATER” CASH CONTEST 

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES  

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN A PRIZE  

MediaCo Holding Inc. d/b/a WQHT-FM and/or HOT 97 (“MediaCo” or “HOT 97”) is giving HOT 97 listeners a chance to win cash prizes and tickets to attend HOT 97 Summer Jam in the HOT 97 “BUZZER BEATER” CASH CONTEST (the “Contest”). This Contest is governed by these Rules, as well as by MediaCo’s Official General Contest Rules (“General Rules”). In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between these Rules and the General Rules, these Rules shall govern. Any individual who enters, attempts to enter or in any way participates or attempts to participate in the Contest (“Participant”) agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions provided in these Rules and to the extent applicable the General Rules, as well as by all interpretations of these Rules by MediaCo and by all other decisions of MediaCo which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest. 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY:  

No purchase is necessary to enter or win a prize. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.  

APPLICABLE LAW (VOID WHERE PROHIBITED):  

All Contests are subject to and governed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation in this Contest is void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. 

CONTEST SPONSOR: 

The sponsor of the contest is MediaCo (the “Sponsor”).   

CONTEST CANCELLATION, SUSPENSION OR MODIFICATION: 

Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest if it is not capable of being completed as planned for any reason, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus or “bugs”, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or technical failures of any kind or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest. The decision of any Sponsor to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest shall be final in all respects. 

ELIGIBILITY:   

Geographical, Age and Parental Consent Requirements: The Contest is open to the legal United States residents of the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of entry.  Sponsor reserves the right to refuse to award a prize to, or on behalf of, a minor.   

Contest Entity and Immediate Family Member Ineligibility: The officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents of MediaCo, its parent companies, any other Sponsor(s) and any entity involved in the sponsorship, development, production, implementation and distribution of the Contest as well as their respective parents, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries and successor companies (collectively the “Contest Entities”), and their immediate family members (and those living in the same household, whether or not related), are prohibited from participating in the Contest and do not qualify as Participants. “Immediate family members” shall include spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether as “in-laws”, or by current or past marriage, remarriage, adoption, co-habitation or other familial extension. 

Past Prize Winners: Participants who have won a HOT 97 contest in the last fourteen (14) days or who have won prizes valued over Five Thousand Dollars ($5,00.00) in the last twelve (12) months are ineligible.  

Employer Restrictions: Participant is solely responsible for reviewing and understanding Participant’s employer’s policies regarding Participant’s eligibility to participate in contests.  Participant may be disqualified from entering into this Contest or receiving prizes if Participant is participating in this Contest in violation of their employer’s policies.   

HOW TO ENTER: 

The Contest begins on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at approximately 6:00AM ET and ends on Friday, May 10, 2024 at approximately 7:00 PM ET (the “Entry Period”).  Eligible participants can enter in the following ways: 

Via Telephone After Cue-to-Call: 

On Thursday, March 21, 2024 through Friday, May 10, 2024, HOT 97 listeners can listen Monday-Friday only during the 7AM ET, 8AM ET, 12PM ET, 3PM ET, and 5PM ET hours to hear the cue-to-call. At those times, HOT 97 listeners will be prompted to call 1-800-223-9797. The 9th eligible caller after the cue-to-call (as determined by HOT 97 in its sole discretion) will have the chance to win a cash prize and tickets to attend HOT 97 Summer Jam. The cash prizes will vary depending on when the 9th eligible caller “stops” the buzzer, but in no event will the cash prize exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000).  

Entries Are the Sole and Exclusive Property of Sponsor: All Contest entries and/or related submissions become the sole and exclusive property of the Sponsor upon transmission. Contest entries will not be returned and may be used by any Contest Entity for any purpose whatsoever related to any Contest, without additional compensation to the participant or any other individual or entity.  

False Fraudulent or Deceptive Entries or Acts: Participants who, in the view of Sponsor, provide false, fraudulent or deceptive entries or who engage in false, fraudulent or deceptive acts in connection with the Contest will be disqualified and subject to criminal prosecution.  

PARTICIPATION PROBLEM DISCLAIMER:  

Even if alleged to be caused by the sole or partial negligence of the Sponsor, the Sponsor is not responsible for any problems which affect or result from participation or attempted participation in the Contest. This includes, but is not limited to, the following problems: 

  1. Incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate entry information; 
  1. Human errors;  
  1. Failures, omissions, interruptions, deletions or defects of any wireless network, telephone network, internet service, computer systems, servers, utility providers, or software;  
  1. Inability to send a text-message;  
  1. Identity theft;  
  1. Tampering, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries or computer data;  
  1. Network hackers or other unauthorized access to Sponsor’s computer network; 
  1. Data that is processed late or incorrectly or is incomplete or lost due to wireless network, telephone network, computer or electronic malfunction or traffic congestion on wireless or telephone networks; 
  1. Printing errors;  
  1. Equipment malfunctions; and 
  1. Late, misdirected, lost, misplaced, illegible, mutilated or postage-due entries. 

PRIZES:  

There will be a maximum of one-hundred and eighty-five (185) prizes awarded in this Contest. Each prize will be of varying cash amounts, but in no event will any one prize exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000). Each eligible winner will receive a check in the amount of their cash prize winnings and/or a pair of tickets to attend HOT 97 Summer Jam. The total aggregate prize value of all prizes in this Contest is Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($129,750.00). 

No transfer, assignment or substitution of a prize is permitted, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize for an item of equal or greater value in the event an advertised prize is unavailable.  Any difference between the actual value and the approximate retail value of any prize will not be awarded.  No substitution or cash equivalent will be made.  

TAXES:  

Winner is solely responsible for determining and paying all federal, state and local taxes (including any sales taxes). Any person winning over six hundred dollars ($600.00) in prizes during any one-year period will receive an IRS Form 1099 at the end of the calendar year, and a copy of such form will be filed with the IRS. 

ODDS OF WINNING: 

The odds of winning a prize in the Contest will depend on the number of eligible entries received.   

WINNER SELECTION:   

There will be a maximum of one-hundred and eighty-five (185) winners in the Contest. On Thursday, March 21, 2024 through Friday, May 10, 2024, HOT 97 listeners can listen from Monday through Friday only during the 7AM ET, 8AM ET, 12PM ET, 3PM ET, and 5PM ET hours to hear the cue-to-call. At those times, Hot 97 listeners will be prompted to call 1-800-223-9797. The 9th eligible caller after the cue-to-call (as determined by HOT 97 in its sole discretion) will win a cash prize. For the avoidance of doubt, the Contest will not take place on Saturdays or Sundays during the Entry Period.  

HOW TO CLAIM A PRIZE: 

Claiming the Prize:  The Sponsor has the right in its sole discretion to mail the prize to the winner. The winner will initially be sent the required releases and prize claim forms. Winner is required to first sign the required forms and return them along with a picture ID electronically within five (5) days. Alternatively, a winner may mail the required forms to HOT 97 at Attn:  HOT 97 “Buzzer Beater” Cash Contest, 48 W. 25th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010.  Participants acknowledge that any postal service mailing of the release forms to Sponsor may significantly delay the mailing of a prize.  After receipt of all signed required releases and claim forms, Sponsor will mail the prize to the winner.  Failure by the winner to return completed forms within five (5) days of receipt of the forms may lead to forfeiture of the prize. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Sponsor does not receive the completed forms within seven (7) days, then the prize will automatically be forfeited. Additionally, in the event the prize is mailed to the winner, the winner assumes the risk of the prize’s safe arrival. Sponsor may elect to change the method by which winner claims the prize.  Should Sponsor change the method by which a winner claims the prize, Sponsor shall promptly inform winner of the new prize claim process. 

Additionally, in the event the prize is mailed to the winner, the winner assumes the risk of the prize’s safe arrival. Prize winners must accept delivery of prize in the method as solely determined and designated by Sponsor. Prize shall be shipped to the designated winner residential address as provided at the time of entry and/or winner notification via USPS or other Sponsor designated shipping/mail carrier, or as otherwise designated by Sponsor. Allow up to approximately twelve (12) weeks for delivery. Once shipped, prize shall be considered awarded, delivered, and fulfilled, and Sponsor shall not be responsible for any prize shipment that is lost, late, delayed, undelivered, misdirected, misdelivered, damaged or stolen, or any incorrect shipping address provided by winner. In the event of any delivery issues, prize award shall not be replaced or substituted with any alternate prize award or compensation. Winner shall look solely to designated shipper/carrier and not to Sponsor for any delivery issues. Sponsor may elect to change the method by which winner claims the prize.  Should Sponsor change the method by which a winner claims the prize, Sponsor shall promptly inform winner of the new prize claim process. 

Prerequisites to Prize Award: Prior to being awarded a prize, winners are required to provide: (1) a valid government-issued photo identification depicting proof of age and (2) a valid taxpayer identification number or social security number. The social security number will be used for tax-reporting purposes. Sponsor reserves the right to deny awarding a prize if the winner fails to provide satisfactory identification, as determined in Sponsor’s sole discretion.  

Winners are required to execute certain forms, including but not limited to an Affidavit of Eligibility, Release of Liability, Indemnification and Publicity Release Agreement, and a completed IRS W-9 before any prize is awarded.  By entering the Contest, Participant agrees to execute these documents if selected as a winner. Except where prohibited by law, failure to execute any of these documents or comply with any of these terms will result in forfeiture of the prize.   

Prize Forfeiture: Any winner who fails to redeem, claim, or utilize the prize will forfeit the prize. MediaCo reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award unclaimed prizes to alternate contestants or not to award the unclaimed prizes.  

Additional Costs: Any costs relating to the prizes are the sole responsibility of the winner. 

WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS:   

By entering and participating in the Contest, and in consideration thereof, each Participant individually warrants and represents to Sponsor that they: (i) meet the residency and age requirements at the time of entry; (ii) will be bound by these Rules and the General Rules, and by all applicable laws and regulations, and the decisions of the Sponsor; and (iii) waive any rights to claim ambiguity with respect to these Rules and the General Rules. 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION:  

As consideration for entering the Contest, all Participants agree to RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE MediaCo WQHT License LLC, MediaCo Holding Inc., and the other Contest Entities (as described above) and each of their respective direct and indirect affiliates, divisions, parent and subsidiary companies, officers, employees, disc-jockeys, on-air personalities, shareholders, representatives, managers, members, directors, owners, agents, insurers, attorneys, predecessors, successors, and assigns thereof (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from and against all claims, damages, charges, injuries, losses, proceedings, suits, actions (including but not limited to tort actions, product liability actions, wrongful death actions, warranty actions, breach of contract actions, privacy and defamation actions, misappropriation of likeness actions, identity theft, loss of consortium claims), expenses and attorney fees that they or anyone on their behalf (including but not limited to their heirs, representatives or next of kin) have or might have for any death, injury, damage or claimed injury or damage arising out of, involving or relating to their participation in the Contest, including, but not limited to, any claim that the act or omission complained of was caused in whole or in part by the strict liability or negligence in any form of the Released Parties.  

Additionally, as consideration for entering the Contest, all Participants agree to INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND the Released Parties in any action or proceeding from and against all claims, damages, charges, injuries, losses, proceedings, suits, actions (including but not limited to tort actions, product liability actions, wrongful death actions, warranty actions, breach of contract actions, privacy and defamation actions, misappropriation of likeness actions, identity theft, loss of consortium claims), expenses and attorney fees that they or anyone on their behalf (including but not limited to their heirs, representatives or next of kin) have or might have for any death, injury, damage or claimed injury or damage arising out of, involving or relating to their participation in the Contest or for their failure to comply with the terms of the above release provision.  This agreement to indemnify, hold harmless and defend applies even if the act or omission complained of was allegedly caused in whole or in part by the strict liability or negligence in any form of the Released Parties. 

This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media platform.  By submission of an entry, Participant releases Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all social media platforms from any responsibility or liability for the Contest’s administration, prizes or promotion. You are providing entry information to the Sponsor and not to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any social media platform.   

PUBLICITY RELEASE:  

Unless prohibited by applicable law, Participant authorizes and irrevocably grants to the Contest Entities (as defined above) permission, from time to time, to reference and discuss Participant and their participation in the Contest on-air and/or on their websites in photographs, video recordings, digital images, audio recordings, as well as in publications, newsletters, news releases, other printed materials, and in materials made available on the Internet or in other media now known or hereafter developed for any purpose the Contest Entities deem proper.  Such reference and discussion may involve Participant’s name and voice, and other personal/biographical material or their participation on-air. 

DISQUALIFICATION:  

All Participants agree to be bound by these Rules. Non-compliance with any of these Rules will result in disqualification and all privileges of a Participant will be immediately terminated.  Sponsor, in their sole discretion, further reserves the right to disqualify any person for: (i) tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest; (ii) gaining an unfair advantage in participating in the Contest; (iii) obtaining winner status using false, fraudulent or deceptive means; or (iv) engaging in otherwise unsportsmanlike, disruptive, annoying, harassing, or threatening behavior.  

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY PARTICIPANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY CIRCUMVENT, DISRUPT OR DAMAGE ORDINARY AND NORMAL OPERATION OF ANY CONTEST, TELEPHONE SYSTEMS OR WEB SITE, OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF ANY CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.   

RULES CHANGES AND INTERPRETATIONS:  

Sponsor reserves the right in their sole discretion to supplement or make changes to these Rules as well as the rules of any contest at any time without notice. Sponsor reserves the right in their sole discretion to interpret the rules of any contest, and such interpretation shall be binding upon all participants.  

AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE: 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, by participating in the Contest, a Participant understands and agrees that:   

  1. the Federal Arbitration Act applies to this agreement, and if the parties are unable to resolve their dispute amicably, it shall be resolved by means of binding arbitration (not in a court of law);  
  1. any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action (even if the rules and procedures of the arbitration tribunal allow class arbitrations);  
  1. any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, but in no event and under no circumstances will Participants be permitted to obtain awards for attorneys’ fees, and Participants hereby waive all rights to claim punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other form of damages, other than actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased;  
  1. any claim or dispute regarding the Contest or these Official Rules will be resolved pursuant to the laws of New York, without regard to the conflicts of laws and rules of New York; 
  1. any claim or dispute regarding the Contest or these Official Rules will be resolved in a tribunal within the state of New York, and Participants submit to the jurisdiction of, and waive all objections to the jurisdiction or venue of, such tribunal; and 
  1. if for any reason a claim or dispute regarding the Contest or these Official Rules proceeds in court rather than through arbitration, there will not be a jury trial.   

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules, including but not limited to the agreement to arbitrate, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.  If any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein. 

GENERAL RULES/LIST OF WINNERS:  

Copies of these Rules and/or the General Rules may be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to:  HOT 97 “BUZZER BEATER” CASH CONTEST Rules and/or Official Contest General Contest Rules, 48 W. 25th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010. These Rules and the General Rules may also be found at www.hot97.com. 

For a list of any Contest winners send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: HOT 97 “BUZZER BEATER” CASH CONTEST Winners List, 48 W. 25th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010. 

SPONSOR:  

MediaCo Holding Inc. d/b/a WQHT-FM  

48 W. 25th Street, 3rd Floor 

New York, NY 10010 

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