New Full Power Stations AFTER DTV Switch

[Markxxx]

I was just wonder if anyone wants to speculate about the possiblity of new full power stations after the DTV switch.

I figure after the Feb 2009 switch there will have to be a period where some allocations will have to be adjusted as I'm sure there will be some interference between channels.

But if that occurs, I am thinking there will be room for new TV allocations. (Perhaps I'm wrong about this)

Do you think we have any TV markets where there aren't enough full power stations? I mean markets where there aren't enough and the market could support another full power station.

Or do you think that the promise of subchannels on existing TV stations will kill any incentive for establishing a new full power station

For the purpose of this thread, I am talking only about full power TV stations as I think they'll always be room for LPTVs

 

[jal41]

Keep in mind channels 52-69 will be reassigned for wireless phone and public safety uses, so there will be less channels available. And the future for channels 2-6 doesn't look good either.

 

[Ultimajock]

Keep in mind channels 52-69 will be reassigned for wireless phone and public safety uses, so there will be less channels available. And the future for channels 2-6 doesn't look good either.

...so that old ABC belief that all television will eventually start at Channel 7 will actually become true? Interesting ;-) ...

 

[tripinva]

I'm absolutely certain there will be new channel applications once the transition is over. I can guarantee there'll be at least one.

- Trip

 

[kc0ltv]

Duluth has KCWV, which is due to go on the air after the DTV transition.

 

[dhett]

Lots of stations in the works:

Already issued construction permits - expiration dates listed, but station could come on earlier:

9 Gainesville FL (exp. 9/6/2008) MPS Media of Gainesville
23 Mobile AL (1/20/2009) Daystar
14 WFBT Bath NY (4/3/2009) William Walker
20 Idaho Falls ID (7/22/2009) Meridian Communications
12 KSQA Topeka KS (8/11/2009) Cooper Fowler Media
49 KRBK Osage Beach MO (8/11/2009) Koplar Communications
46 KDCU Derby KS (9/20/2009) Entravision
27 KCWV Duluth MN (12/6/2009) George Flinn
38 KPJR Greeley CO (1/10/2010) TBN
48 KVSN Pueblo CO (4/10/2010) Entravision
8 Galesburg IL (7/20/2010) Northwest Television
16 Billings MT (10/12/2010) Montana St. Univ.
21 Great Falls MT (10/12/2010) Montana St. Univ.
34 Senatobia MS (12/13/2010) Broadcasting for the Challenged

Issued permits but status uncertain:

10 Memphis TN (11/9/2007) Mid-South Public Communications*
3 Apalachicola FL Daystar - Issued CP, then CP grant rescinded
51 Medical Lake WA Daystar - Issued CP, then CP grant rescinded

* - The station was issued a CP for analog operations on ch. 56; station elected to choose digital operations instead. Station wanted to wait until after DTV transition to avoid expense of building pre-transition facilities; FCC refused and declared the CP forfeited. Station is appealing and carrying on as if the CP is still active

DTV apps filed, but no CPs yet:

43 Coolidge AZ
26 Brawley CA - applicant has requested to substitue ch 43
43 Sacramento CA
36 Springfield IL
46 Kalispell MT
47 Hobbs NM

DTV channel granted, but no apps yet:

23 Traverse City MI
31 Roswell NM

DTV channel requested:

24 Yuma AZ

 

[tripinva]

What happened that the FCC rescinded the two Daystar station CPs?

And the FCC recently released a document announcing the winners of the 43 Sacramento allocation. Yes, I said winners, as in multiple. The FCC has ordered either a time-share or other arrangement because two applicants tied in the points system.

31 Roswell may have no apps, but Eastern NM University has a digital translator for KENW on channel 31 already. I wonder if they'll attempt to get it licensed full-service after the transition.

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

And another question--23 Mobile's construction permit expires on 01/20/09, but how are they supposed to sign it on if WSRE-23 analog is still on the air until 02/17/09?

- Trip

 

[dhett]

What happened that the FCC rescinded the two Daystar station CPs?

And the FCC recently released a document announcing the winners of the 43 Sacramento allocation. Yes, I said winners, as in multiple. The FCC has ordered either a time-share or other arrangement because two applicants tied in the points system.

31 Roswell may have no apps, but Eastern NM University has a digital translator for KENW on channel 31 already. I wonder if they'll attempt to get it licensed full-service after the transition.

- Trip

I'm still trying to figure out the Daystar apps. I've seen several instances recently where the FCC has granted a CP, only to rescind it shortly thereafter. I think the issue with Medical Lake (Spokane) may have been Canadian objection. The FCC did that to KAJB in Yuma, issuing them a CP for channel 36 DTV operations, then rescinding it a few days later when the Mexican government objected. I had thought that international coordination is supposed to be secured before a CP is issued.

As for Apalachicola, beats the heck outta me.

Then again, being that both were from the same applicant, perhaps the FCC has an issue with Daystar that affects these two apps?

Or, TexasTom said that he used Apalachicola as his template for the Medical Lake petition for rulemaking. Maybe the FCC is doing the same.

Eastern NM Univ filed the petition for rulemaking for channel 31 Roswell, so I'm reasonably sure they'll file an application. Also, Central Michigan Univ filed the petition for rulemaking for channel 23 Traverse City, so I expect that they'll apply for that one.

And another question--23 Mobile's construction permit expires on 01/20/09, but how are they supposed to sign it on if WSRE-23 analog is still on the air until 02/17/09?

Another mystery. I thought maybe the patterns didn't overlap - WSRE doesn't cover Mobile - but the new station will cover Pensacola and beyond, so that's not it. My guess is that they'll just apply for a license on 1/20/09, which covers their CP and gives them automatic Program Test Authority, but won't actually test until after 2/17/09, when WSRE has moved to channel 31. Either that, or they're making arrangements with WSRE to test, much the same way that other stations are doing that are moving post-transition to a frequency currently occupied by an analog operation.

 

[Morgan Wick]

I've been intensely interested in what might happen once stations move off their old analog allocations and if anyone has been thinking of moving onto those old analog allocations.

 

[Poledo]

Another mystery. I thought maybe the patterns didn't overlap - WSRE doesn't cover Mobile - but the new station will cover Pensacola and beyond, so that's not it. My guess is that they'll just apply for a license on 1/20/09, which covers their CP and gives them automatic Program Test Authority, but won't actually test until after 2/17/09, when WSRE has moved to channel 31. Either that, or they're making arrangements with WSRE to test, much the same way that other stations are doing that are moving post-transition to a frequency currently occupied by an analog operation.

WSRE's analog signal on channel 23 signs off around midnight every night. It would be very easy for a new DT station to do testing early in the morning for a month without effecting WSRE's analog signal.

 

[Markxxx]

I've been intensely interested in what might happen once stations move off their old analog allocations and if anyone has been thinking of moving onto those old analog allocations.

I think there will be a period of adjustment where the current stations will be interfering, like they did in the early 1950s and the FCC had to shift some channels.

Either that or we'll wind up like AM radio in which the FCC dumped in extra channels by use of directional antennas and lower power AM stations.

I'm sure Trip will be able to tell us all which stations at least seem to be to close to each other.

Fortunately if the transmitters are at the same antenna farm you can have channels right next to each other, (like channels 43 and 44(.

 

[w9wi]

I'm still trying to figure out the Daystar apps. I've seen several instances recently where the FCC has granted a CP, only to rescind it shortly thereafter. I think the issue with Medical Lake (Spokane) may have been Canadian objection. The FCC did that to KAJB in Yuma, issuing them a CP for channel 36 DTV operations, then rescinding it a few days later when the Mexican government objected. I had thought that international coordination is supposed to be secured before a CP is issued.

It appeared in the Daily Digest back in July - of course, now I can't find it... (that would not be the first time something I'm absolutely CERTAIN was in the Daily Digest has disappeared.....)

It had something to do with fee payment. Wild guess is the permits were granted before the staff checked whether the fees had been paid. And/or, they were sent to the wrong bank -- IIRC the proper place to send fee payments changed this sprint. The same reason applied to both Daystar CPs, both of which were rescinded on the same day.

And another question--23 Mobile's construction permit expires on 01/20/09, but how are they supposed to sign it on if WSRE-23 analog is still on the air until 02/17/09?

Another mystery. I thought maybe the patterns didn't overlap - WSRE doesn't cover Mobile - but the new station will cover Pensacola and beyond, so that's not it. My guess is that they'll just apply for a license on 1/20/09, which covers their CP and gives them automatic Program Test Authority, but won't actually test until after 2/17/09, when WSRE has moved to channel 31. Either that, or they're making arrangements with WSRE to test, much the same way that other stations are doing that are moving post-transition to a frequency currently occupied by an analog operation.

I thought they HAD to test to make proof-of-performance measurements before they could file for a license.

My guess is they'll arrange with WSRE to run the tests overnight, file for the license-to-cover, and then file for a "silent STA" through 2/17.

The permittee has filed a BDTRCT transition report which would contain the "real dope" -- except that the attachment with all the information is completely blank...