More than 103,000 broadcasters and their associates converged this week in the desert playpen known as Las Vegas for the annual NAB Show and there is reason to rejoice: the FCC will cover TV repacking-related expenses when a station has to move to a new channel in the repack.
“We interpret the statute to cover pre-auction expenses that otherwise are eligible for reimbursement,” the FCC said Monday in its Declaratory Ruling that was intended “to remove uncertainty regarding the eligibility of expenses incurred before and during the auction for reimbursement.”
The ruling, as noted by TVnewscheck.com, cites a Nov. 9, 2015 inquiry from American Tower Corp., as well as similar inquiries from other parties, seeking a statement from the FCC on whether an expense incurred prior to or during the auction that otherwise would qualify for reimbursement from the $1.75 billion Broadcast Relocation Fund authorized by Congress will be covered. The FCC said American Tower told the agency by resolving the reimbursement issue, it would be able to “perform pre-repack work such as tower mapping and structural analysis, starting now.”
“By allowing broadcasters to get a jump start on the relocation process, this ruling will promote a rapid, non-disruptive transition following the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction,” the FCC noted.
And that’s reportedly what’s going on at the show this week. TV equipment exhibitors enjoyed a noticeable uptick in foot traffic Tuesday. Exhibitors at the annual five-day show often generate in excess of $50 million in sales.
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