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SPECIAL EDITION
FCC OPENS HISTORIC LPTV RELOCATION FUNDING WINDOW
60-DAY FILING WINDOW BEGINS TODAY - THIS IS
NOT A FIRST TO FILE SITUATION, YOU HAVE TIME!
This is a must-read if you want relo funding!!!!
The Incentive Auction Task Force and the Media Bureau (Bureau) in this Public Notice address the reimbursement procedures for eligible low power television (LPTV) and television translator (TV translator) stations (together LPTV/translator stations), and FM broadcast stations (FM stations), for costs incurred as a result of the post-incentive auction broadcast transition from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund (the Fund).
Specifically, we announce the availability of, and the initial deadline for, filing FCC Form 2100, Schedule 399 (Reimbursement Form); summarize and clarify the process the Commission established to disperse money from the Fund to LPTV/translator and FM stations pursuant to the Reimbursement Expansion Act (REA); and provide detailed instructions on filing of the reimbursement form in the Bureau's Licensing and Management System (LMS).
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. DISCUSSION
A. Availability of and Deadlines for Submission of Reimbursement Forms
B. Procedures for Reimbursement for LPTV/translator and FM Stations
1. Eligibility Certification
2. Submission and Processing of Estimates and Incurred Expenses
3. Reimbursement Program Close-Out Procedures
C. Measures to Prevent Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
D. Contacts
Television licensing (legal):
Shaun Maher at 202-418-2324 or Shaun.Maher@fcc.gov
LPTV/Translator licensing (technical):
Hossein Hashemzadeh at 202-418-1658 or Hossein.Hashemzadeh@fcc.gov Kevin Harding at 202-418- 7077 Kevin.Harding@fcc.gov
Reimbursement of Expenses (Form 399):
Dana Leavitt at 202-418-1317 or Dana.Leavitt@fcc.gov
Maria Husseinzadah at 202-418-1611 or Maria.Husseinzadah@fcc.gov
LMS:
Technical problems or trouble accessing:
(877) 480- 3201 TTY: (717) 338-2824
Form 399:
Technical problems or trouble filing:
(202) 418-2009 or reimburse@fcc.gov
CORES and Form 1876:
Technical problems or trouble accessing: (877) 480- 3201 TTY: (717) 338-2824
This is the Report & Order issued in March 2019
which details all of the FCC funding information
for qualifying and obtaining Congressional funding
This is the form you will be using, read it!!!
A lot of the expenses you will have are detailed here, so read carefully.
FCC Remibursements Page
COALITION COMMENTARY:
Well folks, we have been waiting for over 6 years for the funding for LPTV/translator relocation funding to be available, and now it is here. You have 60-days to submit your qualifications and budgets. Remember, this is not a first-to-file situation, and you have the entire 60 days to get your information into the FCC.
The first thing the FCC will do is to qualify you for the funding. Please read the Public Notice carefully, as you must submit the proper qualification documentation, no exceptions. After that task is done, the FCC will then see how much in funding is being asked for from the qualifying stations.
The FCC will then see how much of the $150 million in funding has been asked for, and start the process of seeing how much each station will get. Considering all of the eligible costs beyond the transmission equipment is allowed, this is going to be a huge task, and one in which not everyone will get everything they asked for. And the FCC will need to be real careful in not letting some bigger operators from getting the majority of the funding.
Once this process has been done, sometime in calendar year Q1-2020, the FCC will begin the allocation process, so you can expect a lot of the funding to be authorized in Q2- 2020. Now the translators are pushing the FCC to get this done quickly, since most of them have already spent the funding to make the transitions.
Also remember, you do not have to spend money to get money, you simply can wait for the funding to be allocated, and then spend what the FCC gives you. You may have to make up the difference, or not. And remember, none of the FCC money can be used for next gen TV, ATSC 3.0 equipment or upgrades.
Good luck, and for you Anywave customers, current and new, take them up on their offer to assist you fill out the FCC forms, and ask for as much as you can and qualify for!
Coalition Press Release
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