LPTV NEWS - FRI. DEC. 4, 2015

LPTV NEWS - FRI. - DEC. 4, 2015

Last night the schmoozing was in full force here in DC in the ballroom of the hotel President Reagan was shot at - the Washington Hilton. 1500 lawyers and their clients dealing with the FCC were here for the annual FCC Chairman's dinner.

The tables up front were sponsored by the major trade associations, the cellphone companies, and the major lobbyists. I sat at a table in the far back reserved for "individuals". Interesting dinner guests, Mr. Greenhill himself and wife, a regional director of the enforcement bureau who is losing her job in the reorg, a hotshot policy analyst at NTIA who gets this newsletter, a lobbyist, and the guy producing the Chairman's audio video show.

Da Chairman gave a slick roasting this year the wireless and cable industries. Last year he beat up on NAB, this year he barely mentioned broadcasting except in the context of the auction. As you might imagine, there are hundreds of interest groups which deal with the FCC related to all of issues. And LPTV is but one small part of that picture.

For a comprehensive overview of all of the activities read Broadcasting & Cable's John Eggerton

THE BEGINNING OF THE SHARE SHARE SHARE ROADSHOW

Earlier yesterday, I had a 30 minute ex parte meeting with a new staff member for media for Commissioner Rosenworcel. This is part of a series of presentations about the post-auction TV band and what may happen in each DMA for LPTV and translators.

WE GOT IT, THEY WANT IT

SO LET'S MAKE A DEAL

A POST AUCTION WET DREAM

We visited the offices of one of the Commissioner's today, and spent the 30 minutes testing out a new elevator pitch for a potential method of valuing unlicensed spectrum for the CBO, and how LPTV and translators could have an additional option going forward.

Did you know that 50% of all LPTV and translator coverage pops are in the top 25 DMA? And that in almost every DMA, multiple LPTV and translators air on the same channel already? These are usually geographically large DMA which can adequately space out the stations on the same channel. This also is an indicator that the repack just may be able to accommodate a lot more of the displaced licenses and permits than we commoningly think.

There will still be widespread displacement, but there just may be more room than any of thought before. But of course with no guarantee that your coverage will be the same.