Economy
Related: About this forumAs spectrum auction winds down, some public TV stations must plan moves to new channels
By Doug Halonen | March 1, 2017
Public broadcasters who learned that their TV stations will be moving to new channels during the repack phase of the FCCs spectrum auction are questioning how to manage the costs of the engineering projects, which must be completed no later than the middle of 2020.
The FCC has committed $1.75 billion of the auction proceeds to reimburse 90 percent of the estimated costs for each public TV stations transition to new signals. The payments will be made up front, but some pubcasters are concerned about their ability to foot even part of the bill. ... State networks such as Maryland Public Television and Mississippi Public Broadcasting are among the public TV stations that will be affected by the repack. The scope of the engineering involved in both cases is daunting.
MPB {Mississippi Public Broadcasting} will be required to shift three of its eight TV stations to new channel assignments. I feel easily well be well into the six figures out of pocket through this, and thats even after the reimbursement, said Scott Colwell, CTO.
MPT {Maryland Public Television} will move all six of its TV stations to new channels. CTO George Beneman is cautiously optimistic that the federal government will eventually provide full compensation for the mandated moves. He declined to provide estimates of how much the repack could cost.
From the DCRTV mailbag:
February 14:
February 13:
Previously at DU:
WBIN-TV sold in FCC Auction; NH1 News to invest in new digital platforms
elleng
(131,028 posts)marybourg
(12,633 posts)If so, I don't think I will this time.
HAB911
(8,909 posts)Auction nets USF $18.8M, but spells end to WUSF-TV
The University of South Florida has sold WUSF-TV's public broadcast license for $18.8 million, bringing an end to the station's run of more than 50 years.
The station will go off the air late this year, once USF receives its proceeds at the close of what is known as the Federal Communication Commission's "broadcast incentive auction."
Meanwhile, the future remains unclear for the station's programming and its 22 employees.
"We're reviewing our inventory and our options, and that includes looking at support from other public broadcasters. No decisions have been made," USF spokeswoman Lara Wade said. "We have some time to figure this out."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/auction-nets-usf-188m-but-spells-end-to-wusf-tv/2312582
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,562 posts)Talk about coincidence: HAB911 and I posted at the same time.
In Featured News by Wireless Estimator/February 14, 2017
After 50 years of broadcasting, WUSF-TV has announced that it will go off the air later this year, now that the University of South Florida has sold its public broadcast license for more than $18.75 million during the FCCs incentive auction. ... According to university officials, the price was far below what they anticipated receiving.
Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the FCC is waiving the rules prohibiting communication between parties of any incentive auction applicants reverse auction bids or bidding strategies.
According to university spokeswoman Lara Wade, the move was because the station didnt align with our resources and mission and vision. The broadcast TV license was not part of our education mission to continue student success. ... The universitys public radio stations will not be affected.
....
Central Michigan University (CMU) also announced Wednesday that it will receive $14 million from the sale of license for its public station, WCMZ, in Flint. .... CMU purchased the station in 2009 from the University of Michigan for $1 million. The university said it invests more than $3 million a year in its public broadcasting system.