CBS Plans To Keep Its Spectrum -| Broadcasting & Cable

Does not say FCC should drop spectrum sharing/reclamation proposals
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/29/2011 12:11:27 PM
CBS has taken a slightly less adversarial tone toward the FCC's spectrum reclamation plan than the National Association of Broadcasters, group owners representing hundreds of TV stations, and state broadcast associations.

And since it says it is not going to be selling out its spectrum, or planning to share it with other stations, CBS put an emphasis on the FCC making sure those left behind are still in control of their own destiny.

That came in comments on the FCC's proposals on channel-sharing, spectrum "repacking" and improving VHF transmissions. CBS said it "appreciated" FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski adopting the proceeding and "for placing spectrum issues front and center on the national agenda by producing the National Broadband Plan." But it did make clear that it was planning to continue in the broadcasting business at least the same level of service and would not be giving up any spectrum for auction.

CBS echoed other broadcasters' demands that the reclamation/spectrum auction proposal be "truly voluntary." But while a collection of major TV station group owners including Tribune, Granite, Nexstar, McGraw-Hill, Allbritton, and others told the commission that the proposals, including repacking, were unlawful and should be abandoned in favor of other alternatives. CBS was not going there.

CBS said that any "repacking" from the UHF to VHF band must be voluntary--FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has pledged that would be the case--but did not oppose general repacking--moving stations to new spectrum to free up larger contiguous blocks for wireless broadband--so long as the FCC "provide[s] each broadcaster with a replicated coverage area, in terms of both geography and population; any costs of moving are paid for by the auction proceeds; and the FCC engages in an educational campaign along with broadcasters to ensure that American viewers know where to find their relocated TV station."

That "exact replication" condition is what makes the CBS position only slightly less hard-line, since it is similar to the hold-harmless line in the sand the National Association of Broadcasters has drawn.

CBS said one of the reasons it was willing to work with the FCC on helping its proposals meet the nation's broadband needs was that "CBS values the opportunities broadband yields for wider distribution of its content," though it immediately added it was committed, for the "foreseeable future," to the broadcast platform. "CBS does not intend to participate in the incentive auctions that are being proposed as a means for reallocating spectrum away from broadcasters," the network said, and also expects its stations to continue using each of the stations' "allotted 6 MHz."

But CBS also advised the commission to look beyond the dollars of those cashing out in service of broadband to the needs of those staying in the broadcasting business. "[T]hose entities leaving broadcasting in exchange for a cash pay-out will no longer be serving the public interest as opposed to broadcasters who elect to remain in the business of providing a critical and valuable service to the American people," CBS pointed out.