New Legislation Provides More Time, Funding for Station Relocation
On July 26, Senate Commerce Committee members Sens. Jerry Moran (KS) and Brian Schatz (HI) introduced the Viewer and Listener Protection Act. This bill provides additional funding and time for stations that are required to move frequencies following the recent spectrum incentive auction.
The bipartisan legislation:
- Ensures full-power television broadcasters and radio stations are covered for eligible repack expenses beyond the current $1.75 billion authorized fund.
- Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify the 39-month relocation timeline where additional time is needed to prevent a TV station from either going off the air or significantly reducing service.
- Requires the FCC to make all reasonable efforts to preserve the coverage area and population served for any radio station impacted during the TV station channel moves.
Earlier in July, House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and 10 cosponsors introduced a House version of the bill that, similarly, provides additional funds and time for stations to complete the moves.
As members of Congress will be in their home districts for the August recess, we encourage you to invite them to your station to educate them on this legislation and ask them to cosponsor the bills. Click here for talking points and here for an issue brief to assist you in these meetings.
NAB is pleased our strong advocacy has resulted in the introduction of these bills. We thank Sens. Moran and Schatz and Ranking Member Pallone for their leadership and look forward to working with them and their colleagues in both parties to ensure a just and reasonable relocation process for local TV and radio stations. For further information on NAB's advocacy efforts on this issue, visit nab.org/TVStationMoves.