With the release of the Incentive Auction Closing and Channel Reassignment Public Notice (affectionately known as the “CCR”), the FCC officially draws the spectrum Incentive Auction to a close. The CCR is a must-read for TV broadcasters and wireless carriers alike. It announces broadcast and wireless winning bidders, sets deadlines and timetables for filings, and … Continue Reading
The FCC’s Media Bureau and the Incentive Auction Task Force are (again!) reminding all television owners (including those participating in the broadcast incentive auction and those who may potentially be subject to repacking) to provide updated contact information for every station in your portfolio. Important information can reach those owners more quickly with a street … Continue Reading
In a somewhat unusual move, the FCC’s Media Bureau and Incentive Auction Task Force have issued a joint public notice encouraging “all television licensees” to “ensure that their contact information on file with the Commission is accurate and current”. As the notice reminds everybody, licensees are generally required to do so anyway, but it’s especially … Continue Reading
Input sought on revised catalog of likely repack expenses As we all know, TV stations forced by the Incentive Auction/spectrum repack process to modify their facilities will be entitled to reimbursement of their reasonable repacking-related costs. And as we reported a couple of years ago, to give everybody – FCC and affected broadcasters (and MVPDs) … Continue Reading
Slowly but surely the post-repack regulatory landscape for LPTVs and TV translators is getting established. Back in December, the Commission adopted a number of provisions addressing the predicaments likely to be faced by the LPTV/translator industries once the Broadcast Incentive Auction – and the consequent channel repack – and over and done with. As part … Continue Reading
Bureau announces, sort of, deadline for eligibility for first post-Spectrum Auction displacement window. LPTV and TV Translator licensees have known for some time – at least since last December – that they’re going to need to be “operating” as of a certain date in order to be eligible for the first displacement window that will … Continue Reading
In the closing days of 2015 we reported on the FCC’s long-awaited decision on how it plans to deal with LPTV and TV translator stations as it works its way through the post-auction repack process. The Commission’s decision has now been published in the Federal Register in two separate chunks: the first includes the Report … Continue Reading
In addressing LPTV/translator future, FCC declines to loosen several regulatory leashes Low Power Television (LPTV) and TV translator stations face a difficult and uncertain future in the post-incentive auction context. Thanks to the auction (and the consequent spectrum repack), the FCC will reduce the number of channels available for television broadcasting – perhaps eliminating for … Continue Reading
On again, off again, back on again. That’s story with the comment deadlines for the FCC’s proposal to preserve vacant UHF TV channel space in every geographic area of the country for use by unlicensed TV white space devices and wireless microphones. When that proceeding was kicked off, comments were due pronto. But then the … Continue Reading
[WARNING! While Auction 98 has closed, strict federal anti-collusion rules remain in effect for several more weeks, until the down payment deadline, which should be announced shortly. Parties who were involved in any way in the auction – including folks who filed applications but then elected not to participate in the auction – should refrain … Continue Reading
Last month we reported on the Commission’s proposal to preserve vacant UHF TV channel space in every geographic area of the country for use by unlicensed TV white space devices and wireless microphones. The deadlines for comments on the proposal were set tout de suite, and things seemed to be moving merrily along on the … Continue Reading
A couple of weeks ago we reported on the Commission’s proposal to reserve onere vacant UHF TV channel in every geographic aa of the country for use by unlicensed TV white space devices and wireless microphones. With impressive speed the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has found its way into the Federal Register. As a result, … Continue Reading
Interested in Auction 98 (featuring 131 FM construction permits)? The FCC has released lists of the complete and the incomplete applications (and one rejected application) filed by would-be bidders.… Continue Reading
A seemingly small but crucial element of the FCC's incentive auction preparations has survived a broadside attack in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.… Continue Reading
Following our lead, the FCC has now reminded TV licensees of the upcoming Pre-Auction Licensing Deadline -- and it has officially released Form 2100, Schedule 381.… Continue Reading
A heads up reminder to all full-power and Class A TV licensees expecting protection in the spectrum repack: Failure to complete construction or to find, and correct, discrepancies in the FCC databases could result in less protection than expected.… Continue Reading
If you're an FM licensee (commercial or NCE) and you're thinking about filing a minor mod application, heads up - a freeze on all minor mods is in the offing, thanks to Auction 98.… Continue Reading
The bidding won't start until July, but there's no time like the present to check out this year's opportunities in the latest FM auction.… Continue Reading
That loud sound you just heard was probably the "cha-ching" resulting from the latest Greenhill Report on anticipated opportunities for broadcasters in the Incentive Auction.… Continue Reading
