ORLANDO — The FCC spectrum incentive auction and its impact on FM radio stations is of top concern to the NAB.
As such, it filed comments with the Commission on Wednesday concerning the reimbursement of LPTV, TV translators and FM radio stations for expenses incurred as a result of the repacking of TV stations following the close of the broadcast spectrum incentive auction.
In a 24-page filing, the NAB makes it clear that it generally supports the Commission’s proposed processes and requirements for reimbursement, which largely mirror the existing reimbursement framework for repacked television stations.
But, it is now asking the Commission “to increase fairness and predictability for affected broadcasters and ensure that funds are made available as quickly as possible.”
In particular, the NAB urged the Commission not to make reimbursement funds available in multiple allocations unless necessary, and instead to make 80% or more of reimbursable expenses available to impacted FM stations immediately.
“While NAB generally supports the Commission’s proposals with respect to both FM radio and LPTV stations’ eligibility for reimbursement, the Commission should not adopt a sliding scale for FM radio reimbursement based on the length of time a station will be off the air. This misguided proposal is wholly unnecessary, especially absent any indication that funding will be insufficient to reimburse all disrupted FM radio stations. It is also unduly
restrictive and appears to be based on erroneous assumptions concerning the impacts of
relatively brief disruptions of service. Further, it would have significant unintended
consequences that would disproportionately impact small and rural radio stations and their
listeners.”
The NPRM currently in review by the FCC seeks comment on the Commission’s authority to use FY 2019 funds appropriated under the Reimbursement Expansion Act to reimburse only
full power and Class A television stations, or to reimburse other broadcasters as well.
The NAB wants “other broadcasters” to include FM radio stations.
What is the NAB’s definition of such a broadcast service?
“NAB supports the NPRM’s tentative conclusion that the term ‘FM broadcast station’ as used in the REA includes both full-service FM radio stations and FM translator stations,” it says.
What about LPFMs?
“Because these stations meet the criteria for ‘FM broadcast stations’ set forth in the sections of the Commission’s rules the REA cites, they are plainly eligible for
reimbursement,” the NAB reasons.
The NPRM proposes a standard of 80% coverage of population or area served
for interim facilities to minimize disruption for Category 3 stations. Under this proposal, a station would be eligible for reimbursement if it was forced to reduce power that resulted in
a loss of service to 20% or more of its current population served or coverage area, and
would be eligible for reimbursement for facilities necessary to cover 80% of the population it presently covers.
For the NAB, it argues that the Commission should clarify that stations should be reimbursed for interim facilities that cover at least 80% of coverage area and 80% of population served, not one or the other.
Second, as a logical corollary, NAB says the Commission should clarify that stations are eligible for reimbursement if they must reduce power to accommodate repacking work and as a result will lose more than 20% coverage area or population served.
Third, while NAB does not object to the 80% threshold as a general rule, there
may be instances where an FM station is simply unable to construct interim facilities that will cover 80% of its coverage area.
To view the entire 24-page filing with the FCC, please click here
