The FCC has extended the comment and reply comment deadline in the multiple ownership rules for radio stations. Numerous parties requested additional time to submit comments in this proceeding initiated late last year. The Commission is seeking input from broadcasters as well as the public on the effect that consolidation has had on the concentration of media in radio markets around the country. The extension will allow parties to submit additional data on the changes in certain markets as a result of the consolidation. Parties now have until March 28, 2002, to submit data related to these radio market issues.

In early February, the Commission announced a major change freeze in the AM expanded band from 1610 to 1700 kHz. This was triggered by the filing of some major change applications seeking to change the community of license of several authorized expanded band stations. This freeze is to allow for the potential entry of additional expanded band stations that would be limited by the major changes of existing stations. Those applications that have been submitted will be processed, but no new applications will be accepted. This freeze does not preclude the submissions of minor change applications in the expanded band.

Full service analog TV stations may have to rent their analog channels from the government if they have not completed the transition to digital beginning in 2007. An article reported by the Associated Press has stated that in the 2003 budget request there is a proposal to seek a rental payment from broadcasters if they are still operating their analog channels in 2007. Existing stations that received a paired DTV channel are to transition to all digital facilities and give back the analog channel, or seek authority to operate digitally on their analog channel, returning the paired DTV channel. According to the article, there has been no comment from the Commission on this proposal.

The FCC established deadline for DTV construction for most commercial TV stations is May 1, 2002. While the Commission has declined to issue a blanket extension of time, they have stated they would consider individual requests on a case-by-case basis. The time frame for filing the requests for extension is between January 31 and March 2. The Commission has noted that the extension must be based on matters that were either unforeseeable or beyond the control of the permittee. Some of the points that may justify the extension are delays in FAA review, local zoning matters and lack of available equipment.

With all the consolidation of stations and relocations in general, does the FCC know the current location of your main studio? Have you moved and relocated your studio transmitter link? Did anyone inform the FCC? The area where a main studio can be located has grown immensely over the years, allowing stations greater flexibility to improve the operating facility and provide greater visibility in the station’s primary market. However, in many cases, while the FCC was notified of the change in studio locations, the microwave system to relay programming to the transmitter site is still licensed at the old location. Check your current STL and RPU licenses to make sure they are properly located at the new main studio.

It is just two months until the annual National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas. Stu and Jeff are making their plans to attend. If you or a member of your staff is also planning to make the trek out west, Stu and Jeff welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss engineering matters. Let us know if you would like to get together.

If you would like to receive our newsletter electronically, just send us an email at newsletter@grahambrock.com and we will put you on our email list.