The FCC 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.
Prompted by auction sales, moves to low VHF bring both challenges and advantages
Stations can save money on equipment and power bills, but some over-the-air viewers may need to change their antennas.Channel-share agreements bring Connecticut station $32.6M in spectrum auction
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network is holding on to its stations in Bridgeport and Hartford-New Haven.For Los Angeles’ KLCS, spectrum auction proceeds will relieve licensee of financial burden
The school board–owned station may not see much of a bump to its annual budget.Former NJ governor asks state to support public TV after spectrum auction win
It’s unclear how state policymakers intend to use $332M in proceeds, and whether funds will be reinvested in NJTV.San Francisco’s KMTP angles for channel-share after winning $87M in spectrum auction
KMTP will create an endowment and use the proceeds to acquire access to wireless spectrum.‘The Pub’ #93: Where will all the spectrum auction money go?
The billions that noncommercial stations won isn’t enough to transform the entire public media system, but it will absolutely transform the handful ...KCSM licensee and spectrum speculator trade lawsuits over failed FCC auction bid
An error disqualified the California station from the auction.Sale of dozens of noncommercial signals in FCC spectrum auction earns minimum of $1.9 billion
Check out our summary of how the spectrum auction appears to be playing out for public media.Blue Ridge PBS will use $5.8M auction take to upgrade equipment, expand local programming
Station President James Baum said viewers in the stations’ coverage area will not lose PBS service due to overlap from other broadcasters.After release of results, stations announce plans for FCC auction largesse
The big sums will help to expand services, pay off debts and enable technical upgrades.
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