DO WE NEED AN INCUBATOR PROGRAM
FOR DIVERSE VOICES IN THE
BROADCAST INDUSTRY?
ISN'T THAT WHAT LPTV IS SUPPOSE TO BE?
A FASTER, BETTER, CHEAPER, AND MORE FAIR WAY TO DO THIS MAY BE...
"MVPD MUST CARRY FOR ALL LPTV!"
For Immediate Release
CHAIRMAN PAI PROPOSES INCUBATOR PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS TO SUPPORT NEW AND DIVERSE VOICES IN
BROADCAST INDUSTRY
WASHINGTON, July 11, 2018 - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai
today announced that he has circulated a proposal that would establish the requirements to
govern the incubator program that the Commission decided to adopt in 2017 to support the
entry of new and diverse voices into the broadcast industry. The proposal, which the FCC will
vote on at its August Open Meeting, outlines a program in which established broadcasters
would pair with small aspiring new entrants or struggling broadcast station owners who lack
access to capital and operational experience, among other things. The established
broadcaster-the incubator-would help provide financial and operational support, including
training and mentoring, to the new or struggling broadcaster.
The program would initially
apply to AM/FM full-service broadcast radio station ownership, as radio has traditionally been
the most accessible entry point for new entrants and small businesses seeking to enter the
broadcasting sector. Chairman Pai released the following statement:
"The FCC is committed to taking action to promote diversity in the broadcast industry. That's
why we will be voting at our August meeting to move forward with a new incubator program.
This program will encourage new voices, including women and minorities, to enter the
broadcast business. In particular, it will help address the significant barriers, including lack of
access to capital, that currently make it hard for many to join the broadcast industry. I would
like to thank all of the stakeholders, including the FCC's Advisory Committee on Diversity and
Digital Empowerment, that shared their recommendations on how this program should be
structured. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this important initiative."
COALITION COMMENTARY
Ok, we get it. Help those that want to break into the biz who have barriers to entry. The part I really like is...
"The proposal, which the FCC will vote on at its August Open Meeting, outlines a program in which established broadcasters would pair with small aspiring new entrants or struggling broadcast station owners who lack access to capital and operational experience, among other things."
Now, I wish this program well, and hope it helps to solve a problem our industry has, a lack of diversity. But, wouldn't it be easier to just let Class A and LPTV have must carry MVPD carriage? And will this new program help Class A and LPTV at all, or is this another program TO LIMIT those which want the corporate welfare the full power stations get. Heck, there are full powers available today which have no business model even with MVPD access.
The problem is more about quality networks, and the cable contracts which prohibit these networks from airing on LPTV. I am all for the goal of this program, I just do not think it is fair to the 1800+ LPTV and 400+ Class A's which ARE THE ONLY DIVERSITY LEFT IN BROADCASTING. If the FCC is going to dole out corporate welfare to new entrants, WE EXISTING LICENSEES WANT IT ALSO!
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