Noncommercial TV Stations Pitch FCC on Value of Their Spectrum

Lonna Thompson, interim CEO and general counsel of the Association of Public Television Stations, met with Federal Communications Commission officials July 7 to remind them of the value of leaving spectrum in the hands of the noncommercial stations she represents.

Smaller commercial and noncommercial stations in big markets are among those expected to be targeted with an FCC offer to give up some or all of their broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband in exchange for a payout when that spectrum is re-auctioned. She called it a "touch base" meeting to remind the FCC of the value of spectrum public broadcasters and the community. Also touching base was APTS Board Chair Rod Bates of Nebraska Educational TV, who provided a first-hand pitch on the value of his spectrum.