On Wednesday, RBR+TVBR told its Members about a proposed fine handed to the licensee of low-powered television stations in Leavenworth, Washington.
It seems Video Division Chief Barbara Kreisman is focusing her efforts on licensees in that state, as the entity in control of seven LPTVs licensed to a town just 15 minutes down the road could pay thousands of dollars to resolve the same matter: late license renewal submissions with the Commission.
The licensee of K12LV-D, K08JP-D, K10LGD, Dryden, WA; K13ER-D, K40AE-D, K09ES-D, and K11EZ-D, located in the Wenatchee River town of Cashmere, Wash., is apparently liable for a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $10,500.
It is all because Upper Wenatchee Valley TV Association Inc. did not file the license renewal application for the LPTVs until February 1, 2023; it was due on Oct. 3, 2022 and was instead submitted on the stations’ license expiration date.
What is the licensee’s reason for the delay? “Their contracted technical support expert was incarcerated in May 2021 and the licensee was unaware of the renewal deadline,” Kreisman shared.
She reminded Upper Wenatchee that “it is well established precedent that licensees are responsible for the actions, or as the case may be inactions, of their agents.”
The licensee now has to pay up, or seek a reduced fine or cancellation.