Trustees of the San Mateo Community College District, who dismissed two finalists in November interested in purchasing its KCSM-TV, have reopened the bidding process.
The Request for Proposal presents an opportunity for bidders to either acquire the station’s assets, or agree to subsidize operation of the station by the district and participate “in some capacity” in offering the KCSM-TV spectrum for sale in the FCC’s upcoming reverse auction.
“For a sale, the district will independently evaluate whether the bidder will qualify under FCC rules to take assignment of the KCSM-TV license and how long it might take to get FCC approval,” the RFP said. “For a cooperative arrangement looking towards subsidization of operations and the reverse auction, the district will consider the extent and nature of the subsidization, the proposed auction arrangements, and the provision for the contingency that the spectrum is not successfully sold at auction.”
The station went on the market in December 2011, due to a projected $800,000 deficit.