FCC Upgrades Telemundo in Phoenix

The FCC said Thursday it would allow NBC Universal's Telemundo station KPHZ Holbrook (AZ) to relocate to Phoenix, saying it would create needed competition to Univision in the top 10 Hispanic market. In an unusual move, Telemundo will swap its Holbrook channel (ch. 11) for that of noncommercial KDTP Phoenix (ch. 39), effectively dereserving one of the two Phoenix channels reserved for noncommercial broadcasting. In addition to getting the Holbrook channel to deliver noncom programming to a population of 4,917, KDTP owner CTE will get Telemundo's Class A low power in Phoenix, KDRX-CA, so it can continue to serve that market with noncom programming. The move leaves Holbrook with no commercial station, but the FCC concluded: "We find that this detriment is outweighed by the benefit of preserving Holbrook’s sole local television transmission service, the opportunity to foster local and national Spanish-language network competition, and to expand and improve local programming in Phoenix." FCC Commissioner Michael Copps saw the move as justified because it promoted competition in Spanish-language. "Over the past few years, we have seen consolidation in Spanish-language media taken to new and threatening heights. Today’s decision should promote at least somewhat greater diversity and competition for those who receive their news and entertainment in Spanish in one of the largest Hispanic markets in the country."
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6271683?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
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FCC Order: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-175A1.doc

Statement by Commissioner Copps:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-175A2.doc