Tech
Pubcasters look for upside from donated ‘zombie’ licenses
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The FCC’s TV spectrum auction is producing unusual and unexpected gifts for a handful of fortunate broadcasters in major markets.
System/Policy
WUSF donates license to WEDU to keep programs on air in Tampa
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The agreement will keep the “zombie license” alive.
Quick Takes
LocusPoint sues to stop sale of California public TV station
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A spokesperson for KCSM’s licensee called the complaint “frivolous.”
System/Policy
CPB Board wants new approach to setting TV Community Service Grants
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Vice Chair Bruce Ramer suggested starting with “a blank slate” on determining station CSGs.
Quick Takes
Chicago station considers channel-share after selling spectrum in auction
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WYCC would continue to broadcast by sharing spectrum with WTTW.
System/Policy
KRCB to acquire KCSM in Bay Area public TV deal
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The $12 million sales figure “is substantially above all previous offers to purchase the station,” KCSM’s licensee said.
System/Policy
Lawmakers hear that pubcasters need additional $50M for auction repack
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The financial risk from repack work “is almost existential” to public broadcasting, APTS President Pat Butler said.
System/Policy
Tampa’s WEDU picking up new channels and programs as WUSF-TV nears shutdown
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WEDU is asking viewers to provide feedback on programming changes.
System/Policy
Push for local news fund continues as New Jersey takes majority of auction proceeds
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New Jersey set aside just $10 million of its $332 million in spectrum proceeds for broadcasting.
System/Policy
State of New Jersey takes all but $10M of spectrum auction proceeds
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The proceeds for spectrum used by WNJN and WNJT added up to the largest payout to any public broadcaster.
Programs/Content
Spectrum auction proceeds will back reboot of Native TV network
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First Nations Experience will become a beneficiary of auction proceeds through parent station KVCR in San Bernardino, Calif.
spectrum auction
Philadelphia TV station will become grantmaker with spectrum auction winnings
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The foundation formed from WYBE plans to share its proceeds with other Philadelphia-area nonprofits.
System/Policy
T-Mobile will foot bill for repacking public TV translators
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The agreement covers equipment, engineering, installation and legal fees.
System/Policy
At CPB Board meeting, congressman calls for ‘civil and thoughtful’ advocacy for pubcasting funding
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Rep. Earl Blumenauer also told the board that he had asked House Democrats to stop “using the assault on public broadcasting as a fundraising technique.”
Quick Takes
N.J. bill proposes using spectrum auction cash for news consortium
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If passed, the law would funnel $100 million of the state’s $332 million to a journalism partnership.
System/Policy
Preparing to expand news, KCET refines model for digital content
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Winnings from the FCC spectrum auction will allow the Los Angeles station to “accelerate investment in the community.”
System/Policy
In aftermath of spectrum auction, even stations that sat out could still benefit
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Public broadcasters can still explore channel-sharing options, take advantage of equipment upgrades and plan an investment fund that would help the entire system.
System/Policy
At town hall meeting, Va. pubcaster shares plans for spectrum auction millions
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Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corp. will invest the $182 million in expanded community service and a foundation to “promote public media.”
Tech
Prompted by auction sales, moves to low VHF bring both challenges and advantages
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Stations can save money on equipment and power bills, but some over-the-air viewers may need to change their antennas.
System/Policy
Channel-share agreements bring Connecticut station $32.6M in spectrum auction
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Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network is holding on to its stations in Bridgeport and Hartford-New Haven.