Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Boost TV Station Repack Fund

Would compensate TV and radio stations if there is shortfall

Author:: TV Technology Staff
Updated:: Feb 23, 2018
Original:: Jul 27, 2017

WASHINGTON—Six senators from both sides of the aisle, led by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), have introduced a bill that would provide additional funds to the TV station repack fund in the event that the current $1.75 billion total proves to be insufficient. Initial estimates from broadcasters has the estimate at $2.1 billion and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has stated he does not believe the current fund is enough. The bill, the Viewer and Listener Protection Act of 2017, would authorize added funds to cover any shortfall in compensating TV stations for reasonable expenses, including funds to compensate FM Stations that could be affected by TV station moves on co-located facilities.

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Repack

Regulatory and Standards

The House Energy & Commerce Committee Wednesday (Feb. 14) will mark up a bill that will include a valentine to broadcasters (and potentially some cable operators)--more money for the post-incentive auction repack.

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FCC Chairman Ajit Pai appears to agree with broadcasters that Congress’ proposal of $1.75 billion for post-incentive auction repack relocation fees will not be enough.

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Viewer Protection Act comes in wake of broadcasters’ estimates, Pai’s comments

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Regulatory and Standards

The House Energy & Commerce Committee has voted to set up funds to help full- and low-power stations, TV translators and FM broadcasters.

Repack

Regulatory and Standards

The new allocation along with the first tranche will fall short of the expected total

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The FCC has issued a new price list for the post-incentive auction TV and MVPD equipment for which it will potentially foot the bill, using the $1.75 billion relocation fund established by Congress.

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The FCC will be doling out $1 billion to the nearly 1,000 TV stations that are required to move as part of the repack to cover initial expenses, per a public notice issued on Monday, Oct. 16.

FCC Headquarters

Congress approved the additional funds to cover broadcaster transition costs last year.