FCC Expands Channel Sharing Opportunities

The FCC today adopted a Report and Order that expands broadcast stations’ ability to share a single TV channel so viewers can continue to receive their broadcast programming. 

The ability to channel-share is an important component of the FCC’s incentive auction, mandated by Congress in 2012, which provides a voluntary opportunity for full-power and Class A TV stations to relinquish their spectrum and share a channel with another full-power or Class A broadcaster in exchange for a part of the proceeds from a related mobile wireless auction.

Separately, the commission in 2015 extended channel sharing to low-power television and TV translator stations to help stations displaced by the incentive auction stay on the air.

Today’s order permits TV stations with an auction-related channel sharing agreement (CSA) to continue channel sharing by entering into a new CSA in the event that their existing agreement ends. This enables stations to continue providing service to their viewers. The new rules also permit Class A stations to channel share outside of the auction context.  

Additionally, all LPTV and TV translator stations are now able to share a channel with a full-power or Class A station. This flexibility gives LPTV and TV translator stations that are displaced by the auction repacking process more options for continuing to operate. It also may reduce construction and operating costs for LPTV and TV translator stations, many of which have limited resources, are minority-owned, or provide programming to underserved audiences.

In response to the FCC’s move, NAB EVP of Communications Dennis Wharton said: “NAB commends the commission for providing additional flexibility to channel sharing broadcasters following the auction. By giving stations options to replace sharing agreements that expire or terminate after the auction, the commission provides greater certainty for stations that choose to enter into such agreements.”