> Q, whats going on with the appilication process these days.
> ALso reading ealier post about KMCQ move ins. What is the
> term "back-fill" means? What is backfill? and why is it a
> "no-no" situation?
>
Ok, here's an update: The Commission has ruled that backfilled vacant allotments are not actual transmission service. In KMCQ's proposal, and New Northwest's proposal (Oregon allocations) as well, each has, should I say, proposed unbuilt "service" to areas left vacant by a move into Covington, Washington. However, the FCC has ruled several years ago, and quite recently that proposing unbuilt facilities and creating smaller allotments which may never be built to substitute for actual transmission service is against public policy. Currently this ruling is on appeal. Click here:
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6518108852
Thus, before KMCQ can go forward, this case must be decided. (See Sells, AZ. MB 02-376). However, the co-proponent, First Broadcasting, thinks they have a "hedge" against this as they have obtained an unbuilt allotment in Condon, Oregon, pop 759. It's a Class C and they have a Construction Permit that will presumably cover any loss area with actual transmission service to the affected areas. However, the Condon allotment may never be built, and more importantly, this allotment is contingent upon four or five other proposals which may or may not go through. So you see this is quite messy. As tens of millons of dollars are at stake here, and as a last, final gasp from First Broadcasting, MB Docket 05-210 "Streamlining FM Rules" was petitioned to the FCC. They propose to have these community changes handled by a minor change application, therefore making it much easier to move stations. What's going to happen? Not sure. But it certainly makes for lots of drama.
