47 CFR Part 73 - RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES

A petition for rulemaking was filed by KCEB License Company, LLC (“KCEB License”), the licensee of KCEB(TV), channel 51, Longview, Texas, requesting the substitution of channel 26 for channel 51 at Longview. KCEB License filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will replicate KCEB(TV)'s current coverage area on channel 51 and serve 34,104 more persons than the current channel 51 facility. This will eliminate any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHz A Block and facilitate the clearing of the adjacent television band as expeditiously as possible.

The Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to remove certain vacant FM allotments that were auctioned in FM Closed Auction 88 that are currently considered authorized stations. We are also removing certain vacant allotments that were auctioned in FM Auction 93 and FM Auction 94 that are currently considered authorized stations, and other allotments that are not considered vacant allotments. FM assignments for authorized stations and reserved facilities will be reflected solely in Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).

A petition for rulemaking was filed by WKEF Licensee, L.P. (“WKEF Licensee”), the licensee of WKEF(TV), channel 51, Dayton, Ohio, requesting the substitution of channel 18 for channel 51 at Dayton. WKEF Licensee filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will eliminate any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Dayton. WKEF Licensee further states that it will promptly file an application for a construction permit for channel 18 and place the station into operation.

A petition for rulemaking was filed by Entravision Holdings, LLC (“Entravision”), the licensee of KCEC(TV), channel 51, Denver, Colorado, requesting the substitution of channel 26 for channel 51 at Denver. Entravision filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will allow it to serve all viewers currently receiving digital service while eliminating any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Denver. Entravision states that it will file an application for a construction permit for channel 26 and implement the change in accordance with the Commission's rules upon adoption of the channel substitution.

The Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to remove certain vacant FM allotments that are reserved for noncommercial educational (“NCE”) use. These FM assignments are currently authorized stations and, therefore, are no longer considered vacant FM allotments. FM assignments for authorized stations and reserved facilities will be reflected solely in Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).

In this document, the Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to reinstate seven vacant FM allotments in various communities in Oregon, Missouri, Texas, and Washington. These vacant allotments have previously undergone notice and comment rule making, but they were inadvertently removed from the FM Table. Therefore, we find for good cause that further notice and comment are unnecessary.

At the request of The Navajo Nation, the Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments, by allotting FM Channel 258C2 at Rough Rock, Arizona, as a first local Tribal Allotment and a first local service to the community. A staff engineering analysis confirms that Channel 258C2 can be allotted to Rough Rock consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with the imposition of a site restriction 7.1 km (4.4 miles) southeast of the community. The reference coordinates are 36-21-08 NL and 109-49-54 WL.

A petition for rulemaking was filed by ION Media Kansas City License, Inc. (“ION Media”), the licensee of KPXE-TV, channel 51, Kansas City, Missouri, requesting the substitution of channel 30 for channel 51 at Kansas City. ION Media filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will allow it to serve all viewers currently receiving digital service while eliminating any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Kansas City. ION Media states that it will file an application for a construction permit for channel 30 and implement the change in accordance with the Commission's rules upon adoption of the channel substitution.

The Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to remove certain vacant FM allotments that were auctioned in FM Auction 94 that are currently considered authorized stations. We are also removing certain vacant allotments that were auctioned in FM Auction 79, FM Auction 91 and FM Auction 93 that are currently considered authorized stations. FM assignments for authorized stations and reserved facilities will be reflected solely in Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).

A petition for rulemaking was filed by ION Media Atlanta License, Inc. (“ION Media”), the licensee of WPXA-TV, channel 51, Rome, Georgia, requesting the substitution of channel 31 for channel 51 at Rome. ION Media filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will allow it to serve all viewers currently receiving digital service while eliminating any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Rome. ION Media states that it will file an application for a construction permit for channel 31 and implement the change in accordance with the Commission's rules upon adoption of the channel substitution.

In this document, the Commission issued in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by WPXS, Inc. (“WPXS”), the licensee of WPXS(TV), channel 21, Mount Vernon, Illinois, requesting the substitution of channel 11 for channel 21 at Mount Vernon. WPXS filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and states that it will apply for the channel if allotted, and promptly construct if authorized. Substituting channel 11 for channel 21 will further the Commission's goal of clearing UHF spectrum for new uses and allow WPXS to provide improved service to viewers, which serves the public interest.

This document clarifies how the Commission intends to preserve the “coverage area” as well as the “population served” of eligible broadcasters in the repacking process associated with the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction. This action is taken in order to remove any uncertainty regarding the repacking approach the Commission adopted in the Incentive Auction R&O.

The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) dismisses in part and otherwise denies the Application for Review filed by CCR-Sierra Vista IV, LLC (“CCR-Sierra”) of the Media Bureau (“Bureau”)'s rejection of CCR-Sierra's proposal to change the community of license of its Station KZMK(FM) from Sierra Vista to Tanque Verde, Arizona, and grant of a conflicting Counterproposal filed by Cochise Broadcasting, LLC and Desert West Air Ranchers (“Joint Parties”). See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION , supra .

The Audio Division, at the request of Bryan Broadcasting License Corporation, substitutes Channel 274A for vacant Channel 267A at Centerville, Texas, and grant the Application for Station KKEE, Centerville, Texas, File No. BMPH-20140324ADD. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 274A can be allotted to Centerville, Texas consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with a site restriction located 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) east of Centerville. The reference coordinates are 31-15-00 NL and 95-56-00 WL.

The Audio Division, at the request of Ashley A. Bruton, allot Channel 280A at McCall, Idaho, as the community's eighth local transmission service. A staff engineering analysis confirms that Channel 280A can be allotted to McCall, Idaho consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the rules with a site restriction 0.4 kilometers (0.2 miles) southwest of the community. The reference coordinates are 44-54-30 NL and 116-06-00 WL. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, supra.

Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's Rulemaking proceeding by Donald G. Everist, on behalf of Cohen, Dippell and Everist, P.C.; Rick Kaplan, on behalf of National Association of Broadcasters; Lawrence R. Krevor, on behalf of Sprint Corporation.

In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) further extends the deadline for filing comments on the Auction 1000 Request for Comment, which initiates the pre-auction process by which the Federal Communications Commission will develop detailed procedures for the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction, taking into account public comment received in response to its proposals.

The Auction 1000 Request for Comment initiates the pre-auction process by which the Federal Communications Commission will develop detailed procedures for the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction, taking into account public comment received in response to its proposals. The Auction 1000 Request for Comment includes specific proposals, including on determination of the initial broadcast television spectrum clearing target, opening bid prices, benchmarks for the final stage rule, and the final television channel assignment process, and seeks comment on those proposed procedures.

The Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to remove certain vacant FM allotments that were auctioned in FM Closed Auction 88 that are currently considered authorized stations. We are also removing certain vacant allotments that were auctioned in FM Auction 93 and FM Auction 94 that are currently considered authorized stations, and other allotments that are not considered vacant allotments. FM assignments for authorized stations and reserved facilities will be reflected solely in Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).

This document requests comments on a Petition for Rule Making filed by Red Wolf Broadcasting Corporation, proposing to amend the FM Table of Allotments, § 73.202(b) of the Commission's rules, by allotting Channel 277A at Shelter Island, New York, as a first local service. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 277A can be allotted to Shelter Island consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's rules with a site restriction located 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of the community. The reference coordinates are 40-57-54 NL and 72-22-59 WL.

This document requests comments on a Petition for Rule Making filed by Red Wolf Broadcasting Corporation, proposing to amend the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202(b) of the Commission's Rules, by allotting Channel 233A at Sagaponack, New York, as a first local service. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 233A can be allotted to Sagaponack consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with a site restriction located 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) northwest of the community. The reference coordinates are 40-56-01 NL and 72-18-55 WL.

The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by WLAJ-TV LLC, the licensee of station WLAJ-TV, channel 51, Lansing, Michigan, requesting the substitution of channel 25 for channel 51 at Lansing. While the Commission instituted a freeze on the acceptance of full power television rulemaking petitions requesting channel substitutions in May 2011, it subsequently announced that it would lift the freeze to accept such petitions for rulemaking seeking to relocate from channel 51 pursuant to a voluntary relocation agreement with Lower 700 MHz A Block licensees. WLAJ-TV LLC has entered into such a voluntary relocation agreement with T-Mobile USA, Inc. and states that operation on channel 25 would eliminate potential interference to and from wireless operations in the adjacent Lower 700 MHZ A Block.

This document requests comments on a Petition for Rule Making filed by Charles Crawford, proposing to amend the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202(b) of the Commission's Rules, by allotting Channel 295A at Wright City, Oklahoma, as the community's first local service. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 295A can be allotted to Wright City consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with a site restriction located 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) east of the community. The reference coordinates are 34-04-44 NL and 94-51-15 WL.

A petition for rulemaking was filed by WKEF Licensee, L.P. (“WKEF Licensee”), the licensee of WKEF(TV), channel 51, Dayton, Ohio, requesting the substitution of channel 18 for channel 51 at Dayton. WKEF Licensee filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will eliminate any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Dayton. WKEF Licensee further states that it will promptly file an application for a construction permit for channel 18 and place the station into operation.

In this document, the Commission proposes to amend its rules governing broadcast licensee-conducted contests (the “Contest Rule”) in a manner that reflects how consumers access information in the 21st Century. This document proposes to amend the Contest Rule by, among other things, allowing licensees to comply with their obligation to disclose material contest terms either through broadcast announcements or by making such terms available in writing on a publicly accessible Internet Web site. In addition, the Commission proposes to adopt rules that would define the disclosure obligation in cases where a station chooses to meet that obligation through an Internet Web site.

The Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to remove certain vacant FM allotments that are reserved for noncommercial educational (“NCE”) use. These FM assignments are currently authorized stations and, therefore, are no longer considered vacant FM allotments. FM assignments for authorized stations and reserved facilities will be reflected solely in Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).

The Audio Division denies the Petition for Rule Making filed by Alatron Corporation, Inc., proposing the allotment of FM Channel 228A at Pike Road, Alabama. The petition was denied because a counterproposal, consisting of three minor change applications, was granted instead: Application of Southeast Alabama Broadcasters, LLC, to upgrade the facilities of Station WDLA(FM), to 280C2, Fort Rucker, Alabama. The application of Gulf South Communications, Inc., to change the community of license for Station WDJR(FM), to Hartford, Alabama, and the application of Gulf South Communications, Inc., to change the channel and community of license for Station WDBT(FM), to Channel 228A, Hope Hull, Alabama. The license for Station WAAO-FM, Andalusia, Alabama will be modified to specify operation on Channel 229A.

In this document, the Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to reinstate seven vacant FM allotments in various communities in Oregon, Missouri, Texas, and Washington. These vacant allotments have previously undergone notice and comment rule making, but they were inadvertently removed from the FM Table. Therefore, we find for good cause that further notice and comment are unnecessary.

At the request of The Navajo Nation, the Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments, by allotting FM Channel 258C2 at Rough Rock, Arizona, as a first local Tribal Allotment and a first local service to the community. A staff engineering analysis confirms that Channel 258C2 can be allotted to Rough Rock consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with the imposition of a site restriction 7.1 km (4.4 miles) southeast of the community. The reference coordinates are 36-21-08 NL and 109-49-54 WL.

A petition for rulemaking was filed by ION Media Kansas City License, Inc. (“ION Media”), the licensee of KPXE-TV, channel 51, Kansas City, Missouri, requesting the substitution of channel 30 for channel 51 at Kansas City. ION Media filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will allow it to serve all viewers currently receiving digital service while eliminating any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Kansas City. ION Media states that it will file an application for a construction permit for channel 30 and implement the change in accordance with the Commission's rules upon adoption of the channel substitution.

The Audio Division amends the FM Table of Allotments to remove certain vacant FM allotments that were auctioned in FM Auction 94 that are currently considered authorized stations. We are also removing certain vacant allotments that were auctioned in FM Auction 79, FM Auction 91 and FM Auction 93 that are currently considered authorized stations. FM assignments for authorized stations and reserved facilities will be reflected solely in Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).

A petition for rulemaking was filed by ION Media Atlanta License, Inc. (“ION Media”), the licensee of WPXA-TV, channel 51, Rome, Georgia, requesting the substitution of channel 31 for channel 51 at Rome. ION Media filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and explained that the channel substitution will allow it to serve all viewers currently receiving digital service while eliminating any potential interference with wireless operations in the Lower 700 MHZ A Block located adjacent to channel 51 in Rome. ION Media states that it will file an application for a construction permit for channel 31 and implement the change in accordance with the Commission's rules upon adoption of the channel substitution.

In this document, the Commission issued in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by WPXS, Inc. (“WPXS”), the licensee of WPXS(TV), channel 21, Mount Vernon, Illinois, requesting the substitution of channel 11 for channel 21 at Mount Vernon. WPXS filed comments reaffirming its interest in the proposed channel substitution and states that it will apply for the channel if allotted, and promptly construct if authorized. Substituting channel 11 for channel 21 will further the Commission's goal of clearing UHF spectrum for new uses and allow WPXS to provide improved service to viewers, which serves the public interest.

This document clarifies how the Commission intends to preserve the “coverage area” as well as the “population served” of eligible broadcasters in the repacking process associated with the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction. This action is taken in order to remove any uncertainty regarding the repacking approach the Commission adopted in the Incentive Auction R&O.

The Federal Communications Commission published a document in the Federal Register of October 27, 2014 (79 FR 63883), regarding Petitions for Reconsideration filed of Action in a rulemaking proceeding. The document contained the incorrect deadline for filing replies to an opposition to the Petition. This document revises the deadline for replies to an opposition to the Petition.

The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) dismisses in part and otherwise denies the Application for Review filed by CCR-Sierra Vista IV, LLC (“CCR-Sierra”) of the Media Bureau (“Bureau”)'s rejection of CCR-Sierra's proposal to change the community of license of its Station KZMK(FM) from Sierra Vista to Tanque Verde, Arizona, and grant of a conflicting Counterproposal filed by Cochise Broadcasting, LLC and Desert West Air Ranchers (“Joint Parties”). See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION , supra .

The Audio Division, at the request of Bryan Broadcasting License Corporation, substitutes Channel 274A for vacant Channel 267A at Centerville, Texas, and grant the Application for Station KKEE, Centerville, Texas, File No. BMPH-20140324ADD. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 274A can be allotted to Centerville, Texas consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with a site restriction located 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) east of Centerville. The reference coordinates are 31-15-00 NL and 95-56-00 WL.

The Audio Division, at the request of Ashley A. Bruton, allot Channel 280A at McCall, Idaho, as the community's eighth local transmission service. A staff engineering analysis confirms that Channel 280A can be allotted to McCall, Idaho consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the rules with a site restriction 0.4 kilometers (0.2 miles) southwest of the community. The reference coordinates are 44-54-30 NL and 116-06-00 WL. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, supra.

The Audio Division dismisses as moot the Petition for Rule Making filed by S and H Broadcasting, LLC, proposing the substitution for Channel 228C2 for vacant Channel 286C2 at Ehrenberg, Arizona because the channel substitution was made in another proceeding, MB Docket No. 11-207. The Audio Division also grants the “hybrid” application for Station KQCM, North Shore, California, File No. BPH-20120316ABT.

In this Document, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) seeks comment on a draft TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund Reimbursement Form (“Reimbursement Form”), which broadcasters that are reassigned to new channels following the Incentive Auction and MVPDs will submit to provide information needed to obtain expense reimbursement. The Media Bureau also seeks comment on whether any information submitted on the Reimbursement Form should be kept confidential.

This document requests comments on a Petition for Rule Making filed by Chris Samples Broadcasting, Inc, licensee of Station KXDJ(FM), Channel 252C2, Spearman, Texas, proposing to substitute Channel 221A for vacant Channel 252A at Silverton, Texas. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 221A can be allotted to Silverton, Texas consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's Rules with a site restriction located 7.8 kilometers (4.9 miles) east of Silverton. The reference coordinates are 34-28-15 NL and 101-13-09 WL. The purpose of the channel substitution is to accommodate the “hybrid” application requesting to upgrade the facilities of Station KXDJ(FM) from Channel 252C2 to Channel 252C1 at Spearman, Texas, File No. BPH-20140519AHY.