Spectrum Auction thread

[KeithE4]

WVIA will be shutting off its ch41 transmitter, but it is not "turning in its license". It will be licensed to the same channel as WNEP. WNEP & WVIA will divvy up the sub-channels as they see fit. I suspect WVIA will still be identified as "44.1", "44.2", etc and WNEP would be "16.1","16.2" etc. As far as the public is concerned, nothing will really change. (They'll probably just have to rescan.) The FCC has indicated that a mix of non-comm and commerical stations on the same rf channel is OK.

If that's the case, then WNEP will hold the license for the transmitter. WVIA will just be another program producer renting space on the WNEP-TV transmitter. It shouldn't need a license for a transmitter it does not own.

 

[dhett]

If that's the case, then WNEP will hold the license for the transmitter. WVIA will just be another program producer renting space on the WNEP-TV transmitter. It shouldn't need a license for a transmitter it does not own.

Welcome to broadcast TV in the 21st century where a license isn't so much to allow a station to operate a transmitter as it is to preserve a station's must-carry right or retransmission consent carriage fees.

 

[KeithE4]

Welcome to broadcast TV in the 21st century where a license isn't so much to allow a station to operate a transmitter as it is to preserve a station's must-carry right or retransmission consent carriage fees.

Huh? If someone doesn't own a transmitter, why would they need an FCC license? The fees/must-carry rights would be between the license-holder (WNEP), the program provider who rents space on that transmitter (WVIA), and the cable & satellite companies, without FCC involvement. See also: Broadcasters without transmitters like CNN, ESPN, etc.

 

[tripinva]

For must-carry rights. WVIA will be separately licensed on WNEP's signal. The FCC has set up rules for this.

- Trip

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/raycom-...-sole-station-sold-in-spectrum-auction/186046

http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/american-spirit-media-announces-spectrum-auction-results/186059

Update affecting Raycom and its business partner American Spirit Media over spectrum WUAB in Cleveland and WUPV in Richmond.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/ergen-dish-ready-5g/411065

Dish Network chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen said the satellite TV service provider could begin to build out its wireless spectrum in time to meet federally-imposed deadlines, adding that with new 5G technology, Dish doesn’t necessarily need a partner to do it.

Dish has long planned to use its vast wireless holdings to create its own high-speed network. But in the past Ergen has always said Dish would likely need a partner to help shoulder the cost. Now, with the advent of cheaper, more reliable 5G technology, his tune has changed.

On a conference call with analysts and reporters to discuss fourth quarter results, Ergen said Dish has already started preliminary work on the network build.

“We haven’t been standing still,” Ergen said, adding that Dish has been making preparations, including putting its spectrum in licensed bands, carrier aggregation and conducting some tests on the broadcast side for its 700 MHz spectrum.

“We feel pretty good about it,” Ergen said. “This is not our first rodeo.”

Most wireless companies are planning to launch 5G, which has smaller cell sites, greater capacity, less latency and better reliability, in the next few years. Already Verizon has begun trials of a service – which it plans to launch in select markets by mid-year -- and AT&T and Nokia have started testing 5G delivery of the former’s DirecTV Now OTT service.

According to some analysts, Dish’s first FCC deadline next month would require that it complete a buildout of 50% of the country. But that is an interim deadline – the real test will be in March 2020 when Dish is required to have completed the build out to 70% of the U.S.

Ergen said that March 2020 target is what the company is focusing on, likening it to Dish’s first plans to launch a satellite TV network.

the 5g project is at play here for the spectrum networks.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I may have said it before but I hope someone, maybe several people, can make sure the Wikipedia article on the spectrum auction is better than what I have been doing.