A sweeping new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is out for public comment, put forth with the goal of increasing radio service to rural America. Among other things, it would establish new preferences for less populated areas and make it harder to move a license out of those same areas. It was backed enthusiastically by the two Democrats on the 8th floor, with the Republican promising to review comments with interest.
Acting Chair Michael Copps said, “This rulemaking is long overdue. Our allotment and assignment policies have been transformed over time into an arcane parlor game that only industry insiders know how to play. It is time to level the playing field. We need fair and transparent rules to meet our statutory obligations and, more importantly, our obligations to the American people.
Acting as the voice of, if not opposition, than at least as the voice of non-automatic acquiescence, Republican Robert McDowell said, “Although I do not necessarily agree with all of the tentative conclusions associated with the questions set forth in this Notice, I appreciate the flexibility afforded me in the editing process. I thank the staff for its hard work at making a complex subject comprehensible, and I will review with interest comments we receive on the many issues that the item raises.
One of the big keys is changing the population criteria when comparing possible allotments. The FCC notes that it has become somewhat routine to grant preference to allotments that would reach a greater population. It suggests this often leads to sticks placed in towns that are perhaps small, but are also conveniently located close enough to serve an urbanized area. The Commission proposes to more thoroughly analyze whether rural populations are getting a fair chance at new allotments.
It will also make it harder for stations to escape such communities and to downgrade AM stations, and will look to make stations available to Native Americans, among many other things.
The full document is available here: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-30A1.doc
Acting Chair Michael Copps said, “This rulemaking is long overdue. Our allotment and assignment policies have been transformed over time into an arcane parlor game that only industry insiders know how to play. It is time to level the playing field. We need fair and transparent rules to meet our statutory obligations and, more importantly, our obligations to the American people.
Acting as the voice of, if not opposition, than at least as the voice of non-automatic acquiescence, Republican Robert McDowell said, “Although I do not necessarily agree with all of the tentative conclusions associated with the questions set forth in this Notice, I appreciate the flexibility afforded me in the editing process. I thank the staff for its hard work at making a complex subject comprehensible, and I will review with interest comments we receive on the many issues that the item raises.
RBR/TVBR observation: From a bureaucratic standpoint, this may be as perfect a time to introduce something like this as is possible. Most broadcasters are focusing on making a go of their existing stations, and they’d have to have phenomenal peripheral vision to even think about dabbling in a DIY project.
