Current (https://current.org/series/spectrum-auction)
Results of the FCC spectrum auction were released in April 2017, with dozens of public media licensees earning close to $2 billion by selling their spectrum for use by wireless companies. The aftermath is still playing out, with many TV and radio stations required to move to new spectrum, and some TV stations that sold spectrum seeking to stay on the air through channel-sharing deals. Stay up to date with our ongoing coverage.
Dru Sefton, Former Senior Editor | The foundation is giving $5.3 million to 11 local nonprofits, including public station WHYY.
The commission declined to reimburse wireless provider T-Mobile and left reimbursing radio stations a lower priority.
Dru Sefton, Former Senior Editor | The FCC must set reimbursement rules for translators and FM stations by March 23.
Dru Sefton, Former Senior Editor | Bohdan Zachary of Milwaukee PBS testified in Congress Tuesday on the need for consumer education following the spectrum auction.
Mike Janssen, Digital Editor | In comments filed Wednesday, the network said eligible expenses proposed by the FCC “should be considered an initial provisional list of common anticipated expenses rather than a definitive catalog of all eligible reimbursable expenses.”
Local stations “have limited financial and operational resources to absorb the impact of the TV repack,” NPR said in FCC comments.
Dru Sefton, Former Senior Editor | As part of the reorganization of Commonwealth Public Broadcasting, WCVE President Curtis Monk will leave his position Sept. 14.
Dru Sefton, Former Senior Editor | Gov. Phil Murphy is poised to sign legislation to create a Civic Information Consortium by mid-August.
By the time the FCC’s extended filing deadline passed June 1, operators of 688 translators carrying programming of 55 PBS member stations had applied for new channels.
Dru Sefton, Former Senior Editor | The project marks the “largest non-capital investment that PBS39 has ever made,” according to the station.