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How do I start a low power TV station?

W

WXGZ-TV

I want to start a low power TV station, where do I start? How much dose it cost? Where to I get the paperwork, do I have to get an engineer and if so are there any good engineers in Green Bay, WI?
 
I want to start a low power TV station, where do I start?
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Well, if you want a station right now you need to buy an existing station or a construction permit.

If a filing window opens up, it could be 3 to 5 years after you submitted the application before you get the construction permit approved.

do I have to get an engineer
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If your buying an existing station you don't need an engineer unless there is a problem. If your building a station from the ground up you will need one unless the previous owner does all the ground work. With a construction permit you need to locate a tower site and negotiate the lease, decided with an engineer which antenna to use, the power of the transmitter, and other equipment you need.

How much dose it cost?
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If you call the right people, you can get a permit in a town of about 50,000 people for $5,000 to $10,000. The basics like transmitter, feed line, antenna, tower worker/climber and engineering could range from $15,000 to $100,000 or more and that doesn't include a studio or cameras. Plus you will be paying several hundred a month in tower rent and electricity.

For an existing station on the air the prices are much higher. A station on the air in a town of about 50,000 would go for at least $75,000 and if it's on cable it could be well over $400,000.


Let me know if you have any other questions, I will gladly answer them.
 
Once analog high power stations all switch to digital in February 2009, I think some low powers will become very affordable. The low powers that have the cash to flash cut or have a digital plan in mind will probably be OK. Those that continue to operate on a shoestring may have some problems.

On the positive side, if you're thinking of an analog low power, there will probably be a lot of good equipment at pennies on the dollar for sale.
 
Thank you very much; I already have most of the money saved up for filing, do you know when the next filing window will likely be?

What fm class equivalent of LPTV channel 6 with 3kw would be?
 
The FCC is unpredictable with the filing windows but the next one will probably be in 2012. There is no way the FCC will open a filing window in the tv band until the digital transition is cleared up. LPTV stations will have until 2012 to switch to digital and once that is complete there probably will be a filing window.
 
Carmine5 said:
Here is a broker who specializes in LPTV. They actually have a lot more inventory, stations and CPs, LP and CA, then their listings show. So call them if you're serious about this.

http://www.thelptvstore.com/

C5
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Finding a broker is the best way to go to buy on on the air already. Putting one on from scratch will cost a buttload of money and may take anywhere from 5 to 13 years. Then another few years before it starts generating any cash flow.
 
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