spectrum reallocation

Exclusives

RSS

Special Reports

  • NAB 2012: Everything you need to know about broadcasting's biggest tech event of the year.
  • Gearing Up For NAB 2012: The top tech trends and issues.
  • FCC Watch: 18 Topics In 244 Words Or Less: Get briefed on what's happening at broadcasting's favorite regulatory agency by top Washington communications attorneys David Oxenford and Brendan Holland.
  • 2011—Year In Review: Revisit the year’s top developments in business, programming, journalism, technology, regulation and more.
  • Audience Measurement: The state of ratings is examined in three parts: an interview with the head of the Media Ratings Council; the growing presence of Rentrak; and the search for a better local ratings currency.
  • Traffic Reporting: This four-part TVNewsCheck Special Report focuses on what it takes to stay on top of the growing commuter gridlock across the country.
  • Remembering 9/11: TVNewsCheck looks back 10 years after the attacks with a series of five articles.
  • TOP 30 TV STATION GROUPS: Fox Television Stations is No. 1 in the revenue-based rankings, followed by the groups of the other major broadcast networks: CBS, NBC and ABC, with Tribune rounding out the top five.

Industry Calendar

May 2012
Mo
28
Memorial Day
Holiday
June 2012
Mo
11
NAB Education Foundation
Celebration of Service to America Awards
Washington, DC
Tu
Th
12-14
PromaxBDA
The Conference 2012
Los Angeles, CA
Th
Su
14-17
Investigative Reporters & Editors
IRE 2012
Boston, MA
Sa
23
NATAS
Daytime Emmy Awards
Los Angeles, CA

Station Directory

Net Essentials

AP Breaking News

Our Advertisers

Jessell At Large
Delay On Spectrum Models Raises Suspicion
TVNewsCheck, Aug 5, 2011, 3:44 PM EDT
This is getting ridiculous. The FCC was supposed to make public its technical models for its proposed spectrum reallocation that would make its proposed auction plan possible. Broadcasters are still waiting. It keeps promising, but it never delivers and that's straining the commission's credibility. Until the modeling is made public, broadcasters should remain skeptical — and wary — of the anything having to do with incentive auctions. And Congress, too. Full Story | Comments (14)
cash for spectrum
Debt Fight Could Bring Spectrum Auctions
Associated Press, Jul 29, 2011, 6:08 AM EDT
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's current debt ceiling plan would direct the FCC to auction off highly valuable television spectrum to wireless carriers desperate for more airwaves. Full Story | Comments (1)
news analysis
Why Spectrum Debate Is Tied To Debt Ceiling
CNET, Jul 27, 2011, 7:29 AM EDT
Congressional leaders seem to be throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the debate over the budget and raising the debt ceiling. Now it looks like the incentive wireless spectrum auctions proposed by the FCC may end up as part of a package that is being hashed out by Republicans and Democrats in Washington Link | Add comment
Cash for spectrum
NAB: FCC Broadband Plan Would Kill Stations
TVNewsCheck, Jul 25, 2011, 1:16 PM EDT
A new analysis of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan by the National Association of Broadcasters finds that a minimum of 210 full-power TV stations could go dark and that 40% of all TV stations in U.S. could either leave the business or be assigned a new channel. It also says stations in the top 10 markets could be severely impacted, with "Northern Border" stations in Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland and Seattle threatened. NAB calls on the FCC to immediately make public its analyses of the plan's potential negative impact on viewers of free and local television. Full Story | Comments (30)
cash for spectrum
Broadcasting Staying Strong In Mobile World
Roll Call, Jun 20, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT
The FCC is trying to entice the broadcasters to surrender some of their spectrum voluntarily, by promising to give them a portion of the subsequent auction proceeds. But to do that, the FCC first needs an OK from Congress. NAB President (and former U.S. senator) Gordon Smith has helped broadcasters successfully tamp down any thought of requiring TV stations to give back their spectrum licenses. Broadcasters are shoring up support for their position and making doubly sure any spectrum legislation contains language that will protect their interests. Link | Add comment
FCC Freezes TV Station Channel Changes
Broadcast Law Blog, May 31, 2011, 3:30 PM EDT
In another example of how seriously the FCC is considering the reallocation of portions of the TV spectrum for wireless broadband use, the commission today issued a Public Notice freezing any new petitions for changes in the channels of television stations. Since the DTV transition, almost 100 stations have changed channels — mostly moving from VHF to UHF channels, as TV operators have in determined that VHF channels are subject to more interference and viewer complaints about over-the-air reception. Link | Comments (1)
cash for spectrum
It's TV Vs. Phones In The Broadband War
Adweek, May 25, 2011, 1:20 PM EDT
This battle that has it all: power, money, entrenched interests, and a fair share of snark. It's the spectrum war, where two of the major sets of players in the media business — the broadcasters and the telecoms — are battling over how to divide a path to consumers that the TV guys have controlled for decades. Link | Add comment
cash for spectrum
Genachowski's Done With Spectrum Debate
B&C, May 20, 2011, 2:50 PM EDT
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski told a Telecommunications Industry Association audience in Dallas Thursday that there should be no more debate about whether there is a spectrum crunch that requires freeing up more spectrum. Link | Comments (4)
cash for spectrum
Rockefeller: No Forced Spectrum Move
B&C, May 13, 2011, 6:00 AM EDT
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D- W. Va.) says he wants to get an incentive auction/emergency communications network bill passed by June, and certainly before the 10th anniversary of 9/11. But he also says broadcasters will not be forced off spectrum in the process. Link | Add comment
ATSC annual meeting
NAB's Smith: Spectrum Crucial To Next-Gen
TVNewsCheck, May 10, 2011, 10:27 AM EDT
The NAB president says he welcomes the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s work on creating the next generation of TV technical standards, but emphasizes that for the new over-the-air TV innovations to work, stations must not be forced to give back spectrum. Full Story | Comments (1)
cash for spectrum
NAB Ticked Off At CEA Spectrum 'Clock'
B&C, May 6, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT
The Consumer Electronics Association, which has been cranking up its campaign for broadcast spectrum via its blog and new studies, has created a "spectrum crunch clock" that claims to tally the "lost opportunity costs to the U.S. economy and consumers with every minute we delay responsibly managing our nation's spectrum resources." NAB calls it more of a crock than a clock. Link | Comments (2)
cash for spectrum
CBS Plans To Keep Its Stations' Spectrum
B&C, Apr 29, 2011, 2:48 PM EDT
In its comments on the FCC's proposals on channel-sharing, spectrum "repacking" and improving VHF transmissions, CBS has taken a slightly less adversarial tone than the NAB, group owners representing hundreds of TV stations and state broadcast associations. And since it says it is not going to be selling its spectrum, or planning to share it with other stations, CBS put an emphasis on the FCC making sure those left behind are still in control of their own destiny. Link | Comments (4)
cash for spectrum
Barrett: U.S. Shouldn't Scrap Local TV
B&C, Mar 11, 2011, 5:57 AM EST
A pair of broadcast executives made a pitch in Washington Thursday night for the value of local broadcasting in the face of government calls for them to give up spectrum for wireless broadband. "The work that local stations do in this country is extraordinary and should not be taken for granted," said David Barrett, president of Hearst TV, which owns 29 TV stations. In addition, Raycom News VP Susana Schuler said broadcasters are best positioned to feed growing news appetite. Link | Comments (10)
cash for spectrum
Warner, Wicker Introduce Spectrum Bill
B&C, Mar 10, 2011, 5:59 AM EST
Sens. Mark R. Warner and Roger Wicker Wednesday introduced a bill that would require federal agencies to provide more information on spectrum relocation projects at the outset, and would create a technical review panel to help develop relocation plans and provide for spectrum sharing during a transition. Link | Add comment
spectrum reallocation
Small Broadcasters Fight Spectrum Grab
TVBR, Mar 9, 2011, 6:25 AM EST
A coalition of television station operators, including operators of religious and low-power stations, is preparing to stand firm to protect spectrum in the face of the FCC’s desire to repurpose parts of the television band for wireless broadband delivery. Link | Comments (1)
spectrum reallocation
Levin: MPEG-4 Deserves Station Support
B&C, Mar 9, 2011, 5:51 AM EST
FCC National Broadband Plan architect Blair Levin is advising broadcasters to come up with a plan of their own for advancing their spectrum future — he suggests a move to the more spectrally efficient MPEG-4 transmission standard — rather than digging in their heels on the FCC's spectrum reclamtion-repacking proposal. Link | Comments (6)
cash for spectrum
Smith on Spectrum: We Won't Be Rolled
B&C, Mar 4, 2011, 5:53 AM EST
The NAB president says broadcasters are willing to volunteer spectrum, but won't be put in a degraded position on the TV band. Link | Add comment
Q&A with Sinclair's Mark Aitken
Aitken: Stations In Regulatory Straitjacket
Broadcast Engineering, Feb 4, 2011, 6:26 AM EST
U.S. TV broadcastersface a competitive situation similar to a prizefighter who’s forced to wear a straitjacket when facing the World Heavy Weight Champion.That’s the view of Mark Aitken, director of advanced technology at Sinclair Broadcast Group. On the one hand, they are required by law to transmit DTV using the ATSC A/53 standard, and on the other, they are being pushed into a knockdown, drag-out battle with wireless providers that covet their spectrum and are being cheered on by the FCC. Link | Add comment
Comment Deadlines Set In Spectrum NPRM
CommLawBlog, Feb 1, 2011, 3:04 PM EST
Back in early December the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which kicked off the long-anticipated push to free up prime blocks of TV spectrum for broadband use. The NPRM has now been published in the Federal Register, which sets the comment and reply comment deadlines. Comments are due by March 18 and reply comments by April 18. Link | Add comment
NAB Criticizes TWC Spectrum 'Hoarding'
TVNewsCheck, Jan 31, 2011, 11:08 AM EST
The group’s president, Gordon Smith, cites a press account of the cable operator’s acquisition of spectrum that it has no plans to sell or use and urges Congress to get a “full and accurate accounting of spectrum users and spectrum warehousers.” Full Story | Comments (1)
Jessell at large
FCC's Two-Faced Stance On Broadcast TV
TVNewsCheck, Jan 21, 2011, 11:48 AM EST
While the FCC under Julius Genachowski is actively moving to take spectrum away from TV stations, which the chairman calls an “obstacle” to America’s broadband future, its conditions placed on the Comcast-NBCU deal indicate just the opposite. The commission has decreed that NBC and Telemundo stations must produce an additional 1,000 hours of “original, local news and information programming” as groups. To me that shows that the FCC is implicitly recognizing the continued importance of broadcasting in the media mix. Full Story | Comments (16)
cash for spectrum
Broadcasters Resist Plan To Cede Airwaves
Washington Post, Jan 20, 2011, 6:34 AM EST
Many broadcasters are already worried about declining viewers, and now they say the government wants to take away something more: the airwaves themselves. Link | Comments (7)
ces 2011
Genachowski Takes Spectrum Push To CES
B&C, Jan 7, 2011, 6:09 AM EST
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will tell Consumer Electronics Show attendees that broadcasters who are not making "effective use of the capabilities of their spectrum" should have it put to a "higher use for other purposes." Link | Comments (6)
Jessell at large
Time For FCC To Divulge TV Repacking Plan
TVNewsCheck, Dec 3, 2010, 3:27 PM EST
While the FCC hopes to take back some of TV's valuable space by tempting broadcasters to voluntarily put it up for auction, it's also threatening to get some by repacking the band. But what's most galling is that it still hasn't released its repacking models that spell out exactly what it wants to do. They've been "forthcoming" since March. Full Story | Comments (1)
updated — cash for spectrum
FCC Begins TV Spectrum Revamp
TVNewsCheck, Nov 30, 2010, 11:28 AM EST
By a 5-0 vote, the commission sets in motion a three-part rulemaking looking to auction some TV spectrum, set up the sharing of a single 6 MHz channel by two or more stations and increase power for VHF stations, thereby freeing up UHF space for wireless broadband. Full Story | Comments (33)
OPEN MIKE By Peter Tannenwald
Grant TV Stations More Spectrum Freedom
TVNewsCheck, Nov 30, 2010, 8:12 AM EST
Rather than taking spectrum away from broadcasters, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski ought to consider giving stations more flexibility is using their spectrum. Freeing broadcasters from the constraints of the ATSC digital standard can be done now. The question is not whether spectrum should be used for broadband or broadcasting but whether it should be used for broadband and broadcasting.  Full Story | Comments (5)
FCC Mulls Broadcast Airwaves For Wireless
Reuters, Nov 30, 2010, 6:48 AM EST
The FCC today will vote on proposals to free up more airwaves for commercial wireless use in a meeting that could be overshadowed if plans to act on contentious Internet traffic rules are circulated. For more on the impact on television stations, click here. Link | Comments (2)
TVNewsCheck FOCUS ON WASHINGTON
FCC Begins Plan To Take Back TV Spectrum
TVNewsCheck, Nov 24, 2010, 8:40 AM EST
Next Tuesday, Nov. 30, the FCC will launch its rulemaking aimed at freeing up broadcast spectrum through repacking of the band and channel sharing. It will look for ways to improve the VHF band, suggesting that the FCC intends to drive more stations into the band as part of the repacking scheme. Full Story | Comments (20)
Genachowski: TV Is 'Obstacle' To Broadband
TVNewsCheck, Nov 16, 2010, 12:37 PM EST
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski tells the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners that the current broadcast spectrum allocations "still reflect the previous era. This presents a real obstacle as we try to ensure a spectrum infrastructure for the new world of mobile broadband.” To get things moving, he said, the FCC will consider at its Nov. 30 meeting launching a proceeding that would lift technical restrictions so broadcast spectrum can be used for broadband, and that would allow channel sharing among broadcasters. Full Story | Comments (8)

Today's Top Stories

Classifieds

The Market

Symbol Last Change (%)
Nasdaq 2839.38 -10.74 (-0.38%)
NYSE 7552.36 +11.46 (+0.15%)
S&P 500 1320.68 +1.82 (+0.14%)
Updated 05/24 6:50p ET Quotes delayed at least 20 mins.
Source: Financial Content

Ratings

Overnights, adults 18-49 for May 23, 2012
  • 1.
    6.1/18
  • 2.
    2.6/7
  • 3.
    2.0/6
  • 4.
    1.5/4
  • 5.
    1.4/4
  • 6.
    0.4/1
Source: Nielsen
Reviews
Opinions
Features
  • David Wiegand

    Fans of Sex and the City have finally gotten their wish: Their beloved sex-focused sitcom is back on the air ... sort of. The four women have become four men, of course, and the writing isn't as good. Oh, and the laugh track so annoying, it's offensive. And did I mention that the costumes would be considered fashionable if you were holding a yard sale? Men at Work on TBS is almost quaint, it's so old fashioned. If it had any meat on its bones, you'd be tempted to say it's the sadly ignoble epitome of TV's long-festering emasculated-men syndrome. But it's so much of a big, forgettable, innocuous shrug, it's not even worth any actual vitriol.

  • Mike Hale

    The USA Network's motto is "Characters Welcome." Apparently they're especially welcome if they resemble Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Already stocked with Odd Couple knockoffs in Psych and White Collar, USA adds to its inventory Common Law, another comic crime-fighting show about mismatched partners. But this latest entry exhibits very little of that kind of spark as it tries to wring laughs from the juxtaposition of counseling and police work. It looks too flat and schematically plotted to succeed as the type of lightweight summer fun we’ve come to expect from USA.

  • Joanne Ostrow

    Johnny Carson: Fantastic entertainer, miserable human being. That's the lasting message of Johnny Carson: King of Late Night, the new PBS American Masters film, a rich history of a rare product of television who dominated the small screen for decades. Unprecedented access to personal archives plus all existing episodes of The Tonight Show (1962-92), distinguishes this film by Peter Jones. Telling interviews with family and colleagues, including second wife Joanne Carson, former Tonight Show executive producer Peter Lassally and a number of biographers sharpen the picture. The clips are carefully selected to illustrate specific personality traits, the performance highlights are given context and meaning beyond funny lines and memorable moments.

  • Hank Stuever

    AMC's The Pitch is a sharply-made if slightly off-putting reality series that follows different advertising agencies each week as they compete for new accounts. The inspiration for the show — made clear by its own ad campaign — is to harness some of the verve generated by the network's acclaimed Mad Men. The Pitch has a way of making the ad world seem like a real downer — a repugnant exercise in egotism laced with depressing bouts of creative compromise.

  • Tim Goodman

    HBO's Veep stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Sen. Selina Meyer, who accepts the vice presidential duty and regrets it almost immediately: She has no real power and gets muscled by the Senate, Congress and the (so-far-unseen) president, who delegates all the truly crappy jobs to her. Louis-Dreyfus has found perhaps her best post-Seinfeld role and takes to it with such fervor — the constant swearing, the barely veiled desire to become president, the unhappy give-and-take with other politicians and a delightful disdain for average citizens — that you can't help but applaud what is clearly an Emmy-worthy effort. Her work alone makes Veep a gem, but there's even more to like.

This advertisement will close automatically in  second(s). You will see this ad no more than once a day. Skip ad