Repacking Plan Should Account for Disrupted Radio Stations, NAB Says
The FCC should allow TV stations to use repacking reimbursement funds to compensate FM broadcasters for costs incurred during the repacking process, NAB Associate General Counsel Patrick McFadden said in a blog post Monday. Since radio stations often use the…
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same towers as TV stations, repacking work could disrupt radio stations' operations or require them to set up temporary facilities, McFadden said. NAB has asked the FCC to include compensation for such a situation in the catalog of reimbursable expenses, but the agency said such reimbursement wasn't part of the legislation authorizing the auction, McFadden said. A repacking plan that doesn't consider the collateral effects on FM stations "risks depriving" listeners of their local radio stations, McFadden said. "A balanced, reasonable repacking plan will treat all stakeholders fairly, including all affected broadcast stations, whether they are repacked or not." The FCC didn't comment.