The move is lauded by the NAB, which said: "Today’s order is a positive step towards mitigating the incentive auction’s impact on the tens of thousands of viewers who rely on these important sources of news, entertainment and emergency weather warnings."
FCC Creates LPTV, Translator Window
The FCC on Wednesday released procedures for low-power television stations and translators to apply for a Special Displacement Window if they are being forced off the air by the incentive auction.
Under the current rules, LPTV and translator stations operating on their current channels must shut down if they are notified that they will cause interference to new wireless operations. While the FCC will open a limited window for displaced LPTV and translator stations to apply to operate on new channels, some stations may be forced off the air before the application window opens. NAB submitted a letter to the FCC last month requesting the FCC allow LPTV and translator stations to apply for Special Temporary Authority to operate on alternative channels until the FCC processes displacement applications.
In response to the FCC action, NAB EVP of Communications Dennis Wharton said: “NAB appreciates the FCC’s expeditious action granting our request that translators and low-power television stations displaced by the incentive auction be allowed to temporarily operate on alternative channels.
“Today’s order is a positive step towards mitigating the incentive auction’s impact on the tens of thousands of viewers who rely on these important sources of news, entertainment and emergency weather warnings. NAB will continue working with the FCC to help affected translators and LPTVs find a permanent home on the broadcast television dial.”
Comments (4)
Ellen Samrock says:
June 14, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Given only 120 days to vacate a channel is cold comfort. This STA provision will help the displacement process for LPTV and translators.
David Siegler says:
June 15, 2017 at 10:29 am
The problem for many stations in the PBS world will be coming up with the funds to cover the costs associated with changing channels. I assume that will also be a problem for other translator license holders as well.
Deana Hook says:
June 15, 2017 at 11:57 am
The issue with 120 days in the mountain states, is we usually only have from june to october on the mountain tops to build. Finding a frequency, ordering equipment, scheduling a tower crew, along with the fact there is no reimbursement, shows what congress and the wireless folks think of rural translator viewers.
Ellen Samrock says:
June 15, 2017 at 12:51 pm
The other issue is a possible triple-build of the station. Once for the STA, twice if the temporary channel is not going to be the station’s permanent home and three times for 3.0. If T-Mobile is going to aggressively deploy 4G/5G services on their newly-acquired 600 MHz spectrum, then the FCC needs to drastically move up their timeline. They have offered to find new channels for LPTV and help facilitate the repack. If the Commission still plans to do this, then they need to start NOW not a six months or a year from now. If Chairman Pai truly loves broadcasters as he claims, resolving this dilemma with something better than an STA band-aid will be proof of that.