LPTV operators want in on the National

Broadband Plan
21 December, 2010 01:26:00
Owners and operators of
low power television stations already feel they’ve been left
out in the cold by the FCC on a number of counts, and
they don’t want it to happen again as the FCC hungrily
eyes television spectrum for reallocation to wireless
broadband. LPTV wants to be dealt a hand in this game.

For starters, in comments filed with the FCC under the

auspices of Minority Media and Telecommunications
Executive Director David Honig and others, 15 “LPTV
entrepreneurs” are asking for the flexibility to provide
local broadband service themselves, or to be allowed to
participate in the voluntary spectrum auctions being
offered to full power television licensees.

The list of past grievances include not being given MVPD must-carry status, vastly complicating the task of making a
financial go of an LPTV business, and being initially being left out of set-top converter box mandates.

The parties said, “After spectrum is reallocated, current LPTV broadcasters should have the flexibility to use the
spectrum for wireless broadband as well as traditional broadcast services. Providing such flexibility will enhance local
and regional broadband service by promoting competition and allowing LPTV licensees to continue serving the
communities in which they are located.”

They added, “There is the additional possibility that some LPTV broadcasters may want to participate in incentive
auctions as contemplated in the NBP. These broadcasters may voluntarily relinquish their spectrum in return for a
portion of these auction proceeds….The Technical Paper recommends that the FCC allow LPTV licensees to participate
in the voluntary incentive auctions. We agree that LPTV licensees should be included in the incentive auctions as
proposed in the NBP.”

The group added that provisions need to be made for dealing with the many LPTVs that have not yet begun the
transition to digital, which they say costs between $42K-$71K if staying on channel, and over $200K if forced to move
to another channel. They said that virtually all who could afford to make the move have already done so, and the others
are threatened with going out of business.

They concluded, “In order to access financing and encourage investment, the Commission needs to provide LPTV
operators certainty that spectrum will be available after reallocation. No reasonable broadcaster will invest capital with
the continued uncertainty in the viability of its licenses. Further, not every station will be able to “flash cut” to digital
immediately. Some will need to suspend broadcasting, or go dark, to complete the transition. As such, a mandatory
conversion date of three years after the new allotment table becomes final, coupled with a special temporary authority
to go dark for more than one year, if necessary, is a more realistic timetable to end LPTV analog service.

Included on the list of entrepreneurs were:

* Ameritrade Enterprises LLC, Davie, FL

* Bella Spectra Corp., Davie, FL

* Broadcast Partners LLC, Knoxville, TN

* Broadland Properties, Inc., Santa Clara, CA

* Chicago 22, LLC, Chicago, IL

* Coast Investors, LLC, Doral, FL

* Developers & Managers Group, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA

* DTV America Corporation, Sebring, FL

* Gaines Media, Morristown, TN

* Madison Avenue Ventures, Weston, FL

* Media Vista Group, LLC, Naples, FL

* Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, Washington, DC

* New Moon Communications, LLC, Tulsa, OK

* Open Buckle Ranch, LLC, Rapid City, SD

* Rejoice TV, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA

Have an opinion on this article? Post your comment below.

Today's Broadcasting News Sign up here for our free newsletters!

RBR - Radio News TVBR - TV/Cable News

TRN to stick with Michael Savage, but Savage
wants out
2010 was a year to remember for Radio One
ASU's WVAS-FM gets grant to cover BP oil spill
effects
Contract time: Katie Couric, CBS discussing pay cut,
expanded role
FCC tries to keep old Fox indecency case alive
Google TV delays some TVs at CES launch
Don’t just shop on ShopNBC, shop for ShopNBC
 Maxine Waters not impressed with Comcast/NBCU
Media watchdog hails passage of LPFM bill
MOUs
College radio stations earn internet copyright
Now the big four nets blocking content to Google TV
relief
Tavis Smiley Reports on music in schools on PBS
Senate passes the Local Community Radio Act
(audio)
Citadel fires back at Lew Dickey and R2
Group of groups calls on broadcasters to stop TV
New improved LPFM bill passes the House
blackouts
Big shareholder backs sale of Citadel Broadcasting
Allbritton reports an up year
Cumulus Media goes public with bid for Citadel
Cablevision moving forward with Rainbow Media
Broadcasting
spin-off

RADIO NEWS TV/CABLE NEWS MEDIA NEWS FEATURES

Radio Ratings TV Ratings Advertising Intelligence Briefs
Radio Deals TV Deals Research Sales & Marketing
Transaction Digest Transaction Digest Washington Beat Ideas Working Now
Station Ops Wall Street Interviews
Tech Topics Stocks Viewpoints
Internet