LPTV

LPTV Filing 86'd

On October 28, 2010, the FCC announced a filing freeze for all new digital low power television and translator stations.  In August 2009 the FCC began accepting first-come first-serve applications for new LPTV facilities in designated "rural areas."  An urban filing window was supposed to open in January 2010, and was then delayed to July.  Before the filing commencement began, the FCC called it off.

Now, both filing opportunities were frozen due to the fact that the FCC is currently looking to earmark spectrum for broadband usage.  For more information, read:

Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making Released Regarding LPTV Analog Transition

On September 17, the FCC released a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making requesting comment regarding a hard and fast date for low power analog TV and translators (LPTV) to covert to digital.  The Commission required all full power television stations to convert to digital by June 12, 2009, but the no deadline has been prescribed for LPTV facilities.  With this FNPRM the Commission is recommending a conversion date as soon at 2012.  To some licensees, this date may seem too premature.  One needs to take into consideration that there are several times as many LPTV facilities than full power facilities; equipment manufacturers and consultants are a finite resource.  The conversion will also require upfront capital for equipment upgrades.  Then take into acc

FCC Postpones LPTV Filing

The July 26, 2010 filing commencement for LPTV. which was originally scheduled to open January 25, 2010, has been postponed until further notice by the FCC.  The Media Bureau believe this delay "is necessary in light of the release of the National Broadband Plan."  The National Broadband Plan prescribes reallocating 120 megahertz from the broadcast television bands to broadband.  Thousands of LPTV applicants would greatly complicate this reallocation scheme.  This may be good news for those who back reallocating channels 5 and 6 for radio use since the postponement has at least temporarily saved channels 5 and 6 from LPTV usage.  For more information, read the FCC Public Notice below.

Letter to FCC Concerning Upcoming LPTV Filing Window

Common Frequency recently submitted a letter to the Commission concerning the upcoming LPTV filing commencement in July.  The letter addressed concerns of reallocation of UHF spectrum currently occupied by television channels, interference concerns from channel 6 to NCE licensees, and the pending Docket concerning the reallocation of channels 5 and 6 for radio usage.

See CF letter to FCC June 21, 2010

Analog LPTV Conversion Mandate

The Media Bureau announced that all pending applications for analog LPTV facilities must submit an amendment to their application specifying digital operations by May 24, 2010. 

Public Notice DA 10-496

FCC to Open LPTV Filing Window for Urban Areas

The FCC had finally announced earlier this year that it would begin accepting applications for Low Power Television and translator stations in rural areas starting August 25, 2009.  "Rural" refers to channels that are located more than 75 miles away from the reference coordinates of the 100 markets listed in the FCC's Public Notice.  Applications will be available for channels on a first-come first-serve basis, cut off daily.  Although this is an open-ended filing window, many of the available channels in more desirable population centers will be the targets of the first batch of applicants.  These are applications for digital-only service.  The FCC will also accept applications for major changes to analog stations and digital companion channels for existing ana

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