Network affiliates not interested in FCC auction, TV exec says

Television stations affiliated with the major networks have no interest in selling their broadcast licenses back to the Federal Communications Commission, according to Preston Padden, the director of a coalition of broadcasters who want to sell their licenses.

"To the best of my knowledge, the commission is extremely unlikely to attract affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox to this auction," Padden said during a panel discussion at a Technology Policy Institute conference. "I am not personally aware of any affiliate of a major network who is planning to participate in the auction." Padden explained that his group, the Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition, is made up entirely of independent stations. He argued that the FCC's system for scoring the value of broadcasters is discouraging stations from participating.