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FCC approves channel swap; full-power Telemundo in Phoenix

dhett

dhett

In an unusual ruling, the FCC has approved a plan to delete the non-commercial reservation from channel 39 in Phoenix and reserve channel 11 in Holbrook as non-commercial so that NBC Telemundo Phoenix (Telemundo) and Community Television Educators (Daystar) could swap stations, giving Telemundo a full-power station in Phoenix and bringing competition to the largest Hispanic TV market with only 1 full-power Spanish-language station.

Highlights:
<ul>[*]Channel 39 would be dereserved in Phoenix, becoming a commercial allocation.
[*]Channel 11 would be reserved in Holbrook, becoming a non-commercial allocation.
[*]Telemundo and Daystar would swap stations, with KPHZ moving to full-power channel 39 in Phoenix and KDTP moving to "full-power" channel 11 in Holbrook.
[*]Daystar would also receive class A channel 48 for use as a non-commercial station in Phoenix.
[*]Telemundo would also provide a financial package to Daystar to help defray their costs of operating channel 11.
[*]The allocation change takes effect November 28, 2005.[/list]
Univision had opposed the plan, but the FCC ruled that public interest was served in providing the #9 Hispanic market in the nation with a competing full-power Spanish-language station.

FCC Ruling: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-175A1.pdf
 
To make sure I understand:

The Telemundo affiliate serving Phoenix will no longer be Channel 48, but rather full-power Channel 39.

The Daystar programming currently on KDTP Channel 39 will be on both Channel 11 in Holbrook and Channel 48 in Phoenix.

Is that correct?
 
The biggest crock in that Report and Order is calling Daystar **oops** Community Television Educators a "noncommercial educational station." It isn't and never has been. It's a non-commercial religious broadcaster, and a competitor to TBN, not PBS. Both the FCC and Univision know that.

In fact, Univision was flat-out dishonest in their comments. Not only by calling KDTP a non-commercial educational station, but also insinuating that Gannett's Arizona stations count as NBC holdings. Newsflash: Affiliations don't count. The only Phoenix full-powered station that NBC has an ownership stake in is KPPX, and that should be changing soon once NBC and Paxson officially part ways (if they haven't already).

Daystar is also full of it. The FCC recognized that Daystar is not legally qualified to operate an NCE TV station in Holbrook at this time. Daystar said that they will have a board of directors that is "highly representative of the Holbrook community." Bull! There are only about 7000 people in the current Channel 11 viewing area. What are they gonna do? Hire a local station manager and engineer and call them "The Board?" AFAIK, Daystar doesn't offer local programming on any of its stations. But TBN doesn't either and the FCC doesn't care.

The Holbrook transmitter on 11 has always been a joke. If they think it'll matter if they move their DTV transmitter to near Payson and run higher power, they're delusional, as was NBC. It still won't reach Phoenix.

And, not being a full-powered station, Cox wouldn't be required to carry Daystar anymore, although my guess is that they'll just keep Channel 39 on Cable Channel 20 and find another place for Daystar Ch. 48, with another Spanish-language station moving to 56.

Speaking of TBN, they are the other winner in this channel swap since it returns their main competitor to the low-power status it was originally on 39 (as K39BI and KDTP-LP).

But the bottom line is:
Channel 39 will be Telemundo with the call letters KPHZ and will be on Cox Cable Ch. 20.

Channel 48 will be Daystar with the call letters KDTP-CA and they may or may not continue to be carried on cable (my guess is that they will, but not on Ch. 56).

Channel 11 will be Daystar (if they're allowed to stay on the air) with the call letters KDTP. They'll be on cable only in the Holbrook area (assuming they already are).

The KDRX-CA call letters will be deleted.
 
> To make sure I understand:
>
> The Telemundo affiliate serving Phoenix will no longer be
> Channel 48, but rather full-power Channel 39.
>
> The Daystar programming currently on KDTP Channel 39 will be
> on both Channel 11 in Holbrook and Channel 48 in Phoenix.
>
> Is that correct?
>

You are correct.
 
> Highlights:
> Channel 39 would be dereserved in Phoenix, becoming a
> commercial allocation.
> Channel 11 would be reserved in Holbrook, becoming a
> non-commercial allocation.
> Telemundo and Daystar would swap stations, with KPHZ moving
> to full-power channel 39 in Phoenix and KDTP moving to
> "full-power" channel 11 in Holbrook.

NBC/Telemundo better bring in some corporate engineers to inspect Channel 39's equipment. Right now, it has the over-the-air picture quality of a good low-powered station (at least, from my location). Most likely, they won't do any upgrades until they flash-cut to digital.

> Daystar would also receive class A channel 48 for use as a
> non-commercial station in Phoenix.
> Telemundo would also provide a financial package to Daystar
> to help defray their costs of operating channel 11.

Why is this necessary? Isn't Daystar funded by the televangelists buying time on the network, as well as the twice-a-year telethons they air?

> The allocation change takes effect November 28, 2005.
> Univision had opposed the plan, but the FCC ruled that
> public interest was served in providing the #9 Hispanic
> market in the nation with a competing full-power
> Spanish-language station.
 
Re: FCC approves channel swap; full-power Telemundo in Phoenix (Map link)

> > To make sure I understand:
> >
> > The Telemundo affiliate serving Phoenix will no longer be
> > Channel 48, but rather full-power Channel 39.
> >
> > The Daystar programming currently on KDTP Channel 39 will
> be
> > on both Channel 11 in Holbrook and Channel 48 in Phoenix.
>
> >
> > Is that correct?
> >
>
> You are correct.
>
For us non-Phoenix people I put in a <a target="_blank" href=http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=&csz=Holbrook%2C+AZ&state=AZ&uzip=86025&ds=n&name=&desc=&lat=34.90155&lon=-110.157402&mlt=34.90155&mln=-110.157402&zoomin=yes&BFKey=&resize=l&trf=0&mag=7>Link To Holbrook AZ</a>

Holbrook is about 100 miles to Flagstaff and about 165 miles to Phoenix<P ID="signature">______________
Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>
 
> In an unusual ruling, the FCC has approved a plan to delete
> the non-commercial reservation from channel 39 in Phoenix
> and reserve channel 11 in Holbrook as non-commercial so that
> NBC Telemundo Phoenix (Telemundo) and Community Television
> Educators (Daystar) could swap stations, giving Telemundo a
> full-power station in Phoenix and bringing competition to
> the largest Hispanic TV market with only 1 full-power
> Spanish-language station.
>
> Highlights:
> Channel 39 would be dereserved in Phoenix, becoming a
> commercial allocation.
> Channel 11 would be reserved in Holbrook, becoming a
> non-commercial allocation.

I do not see how Daystar is "non-commercial" as it is surely not educational, as PBS is, but in fact a commercial operation.<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
 
Daystar IS non-commercial and educational

> I do not see how Daystar is "non-commercial" as it is surely
> not educational, as PBS is, but in fact a commercial
> operation.
>

You're the second person in this thread to make such a claim, so once again...

Daystar is properly "non-commercial", as in not for profit. They are legally an not-for-profit entity, and as such, are entitled to hold non-commercial licenses as long as they meet other FCC standards. I'd be interested to know what it is about Daystar that people consider commercial; I suspect that such opinion is based at least in part on false information.

While it is correct that Daystar is not educational as PBS is, it most certainly is educational. Nowhere in FCC rules does it state that the education must be secular in nature, and I would wager that there is more teaching, instruction, education on a Daystar station than one would find on any PBS station. One won't find on a Daystar station a Red Green Show, Antiques Roadshow, Austin City Limits, Lawrence Welk, Keeping Up Appearances, or other popular and entertaining, but decidedly non-educational, fare. Its programming is religious instruction. Even shows like MxTV, which on the surface appear to be entertainment, have religious instruction as their primary purpose.

** DISCLAIMER FOR MODERATORS AND OTHERS **

I have never contributed time or finances and am not affiliated in any way with Daystar, TBN, or any other religious broadcaster. The opinions expressed in this post are mine alone and not those of any such organization.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by dhett on 10/15/05 07:10 AM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Daystar IS non-commercial and educational

> You're the second person in this thread to make such a
> claim, so once again...
>
> Daystar is properly "non-commercial", as in not for profit.
> They are legally an not-for-profit entity, and as such, are
> entitled to hold non-commercial licenses as long as they
> meet other FCC standards. I'd be interested to know what it
> is about Daystar that people consider commercial; I suspect
> that such opinion is based at least in part on false
> information.

I am of the opinion that the majority of so called "religious broadcasting" is in fact inherently commercial, as it is trying to sell something. The only exception I can think of is the broadcast of a Roman Catholic Mass, which is not really trying to sell anything, but in fact doing a service for those of that particular faith who are "shut ins". The all of these that I have seen have had this mission in mind. (Note: I am not a Roman Catholic.)

> While it is correct that Daystar is not educational as PBS
> is, it most certainly is educational. Nowhere in FCC rules
> does it state that the education must be secular in nature,
> and I would wager that there is more teaching, instruction,
> education on a Daystar station than one would find on any
> PBS station.

I would find that debatable, as the majority of this type of programming is basically infomercial style, but instead of useless gadgets it sells a certain religious viewpoint.

> One won't find on a Daystar station a Red Green Show,
> Antiques Roadshow, Austin City Limits, Lawrence
> Welk, Keeping Up Appearances, or other popular and
> entertaining, but decidedly non-educational, fare.

Of these you list, I have never heard of "Austin City Limits" which by the sound of it sounds like something that airs only in Texas and it and everything else could be considered entertainment. Antiques Roadshow does have an educational component, something which you would find if you actually watch it.

> Its programming is religious instruction. Even shows like MxTV,
> which on the surface appear to be entertainment, have
> religious instruction as their primary purpose.

"Religious instruction" = infomercial, as it is as fake as any infomercial.

<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
 
Re: Daystar IS non-commercial and educational

The same way American Family Radio gets around being "non-comm"....with a friendly White House and FCC that looks the other way.

just my 2 cents.
 
Re: Daystar IS non-commercial and educational

> Of these you list, I have never heard of "Austin City
> Limits" which by the sound of it sounds like something that
> airs only in Texas and it and everything else could be
> considered entertainment.

"Austin City Limits" (which does originate from Texas) has been on PBS since 1975, airing at various time periods (much like any other PBS program-though it's not duplicated very much). In the NYC DMA, WNET airs it at 12:30am EST Friday, WLIW at Midnight EST Sunday. WNYE, NJN, and CPT don't air the program, as far as I know.

Now, is the progam actually any good? That's up for debate. Educational? Nah.
 
Politics is not appropriate to this board or to this thread...

> The same way American Family Radio gets around being
> "non-comm"....with a friendly White House and FCC that looks
> the other way.
>
> just my 2 cents.
>

...but I can tell you that KDTP's original construction permit was granted in 2000 and hasn't yet been up for renewal. You should be able to figure out why your argument falls flat on its face.
 
I thought so

> I am of the opinion that the majority of so called
> "religious broadcasting" is in fact inherently commercial,
> as it is trying to sell something. The only exception I can
> think of is the broadcast of a Roman Catholic Mass, which is
> not really trying to sell anything, but in fact doing a
> service for those of that particular faith who are "shut
> ins". The all of these that I have seen have had this
> mission in mind. (Note: I am not a Roman Catholic.)

I wonder how much Daystar you actually watch, since unless you have satellite TV or MDU Comm cable, you don't have access to Daystar. Their emphasis is teaching, not selling. They do a service for shut-ins. My mother appreciated their programming very much.

> I would find that debatable, as the majority of this type of
> programming is basically infomercial style, but instead of
> useless gadgets it sells a certain religious viewpoint.

Daystar programming is no more infomercial than any PBS programming. Daystar ministries hawk books and tapes at the end of their broadcasts to raise money for the broadcast. PBS is underwritten by corporations and foundations and runs mini-commercials for their underwriters. What's the difference?

> Of these you list, I have never heard of "Austin City
> Limits" which by the sound of it sounds like something that
> airs only in Texas and it and everything else could be
> considered entertainment. Antiques Roadshow does have an
> educational component, something which you would find if you
> actually watch it.

I have watched Antiques Roadshow, and I find it neither entertaining nor educational. But if you do, I'll grant it to you. Substitute Fawlty Towers instead. My point is still valid - Daystar has as much, if not more, focus on education than PBS.

Stitch already addressed the Austin City Limits point. I'm surprised you didn't know.

> "Religious instruction" = infomercial, as it is as fake as
> any infomercial.

I expected you to say as much. Fortunately, the FCC doesn't base its opinions on false information.
 
> The biggest crock in that Report and Order is calling
> Daystar **oops** Community Television Educators a
> "noncommercial educational station." It isn't and never has
> been. It's a non-commercial religious broadcaster, and a
> competitor to TBN, not PBS. Both the FCC and Univision know
> that.
>
The fact that KDTP is part of a national religious TV network probably did a lot to make the Phoenix Channel 39's NCE reservation expendable in the FCC's eyes. If a "real" public station were on 39, hundreds if not thousands of Phoenix-area residents would probably be pleading with the FCC to "save" the station.

> Daystar is also full of it. The FCC recognized that Daystar
> is not legally qualified to operate an NCE TV station in
> Holbrook at this time. Daystar said that they will have a
> board of directors that is "highly representative of the
> Holbrook community." Bull! There are only about 7000
> people in the current Channel 11 viewing area. What are
> they gonna do? Hire a local station manager and engineer
> and call them "The Board?" AFAIK, Daystar doesn't offer
> local programming on any of its stations. But TBN doesn't
> either and the FCC doesn't care.
>
What does Daystar usually do for boards of directors at its stations on NCE-reserved channels? If Daystar tends to fill those boards with pastors of local churches friendly to Daystar's theology, and just enough of those churches exist in Holbrook, then a "suitable" board for a KDTP Holbrook should be easy to put together.

> The Holbrook transmitter on 11 has always been a joke. If
> they think it'll matter if they move their DTV transmitter
> to near Payson and run higher power, they're delusional, as
> was NBC. It still won't reach Phoenix.
>
With northeastern Arizona's small population, one of the best uses, if not the absolute best use, for Holbrook's Channel 11 might have been as a satellite of a major commercial station from Phoenix or Albuquerque, and I'm thus surprised that none of those stations ever bothered to build a satellite station with that allotment.<P ID="signature">______________
This is AirwaveSurfer, reminding you that portions of this post have been prerecorded.</P>
 
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