The FCC plans to vote in August on how to divide the $50 million reimbursement funds available for FMs, Low-Power TV stations and TV translators affected by the television channel spectrum repack. The agency defines FMs to mean full-power FM stations, FM translators and Low-Power FMs.
The mechanism for reimbursing new eligible entities is similar to the process the agency uses to reimburse full power and Class A licensees and mobile video program distributors. LPTVs and TV translators are eligible for funds if they filed an application during the Special Displacement Window and received a construction permit and if the station was licensed and transmitting for at least nine of the 12 months before April 13, 2017, the Commission tentatively decides.
Similarly, full power FMs and translators that were licensed and transmitting on April 13 of last year using the transmission facilities impacted by a repacked TV station, are eligible for reimbursement under certain criteria. These are FMs that incur costs because they must permanently leave their towers or move their antennas to a different level of their current towers. Also included are stations that need to temporarily remove and disassemble their antennas, or those forced to move their transmitter to accommodate a new TV transmitter.
FMs that must temporarily move or permanently modify their transmission facilities, or buy or modify aux facilities to provide service to “at least 80 percent of their primary coverage area or population” during construction work happening on their co-located repacked TV tower are eligible for funds, according to the agency. So too, are FMs that must reduce power or go off the air to protect tower workers from RF exposure. This time could last from “hours, to weeks or even months,” says the FCC.
Costs to build or modify aux facilities to permit FM broadcasting are covered if needed to provide service to at least 80 percent or their primary stations coverage area or population.
July 17, 2018
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