The following are updates to previously-reported items and other recent regulatory filings and actions concerning Upper Midwest broadcast stations. This report is created by the author and is not an official report of the FCC.
In separate instances, the FCC has taken the rare move of calling an early license renewal for stations owned by Disney/ABC and Bridge News. The moves mean the licensees have 30 days to prepare renewal applications that were not previously due for several years.
The ABC order says the FCC is investigating possible violations of rules “including the agency’s prohibition on unlawful discrimination.” The order does not mention late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who the president had criticized the day before the order was issued. Networks themselves are not licensed. The eight ABC O&O’s, including WLS-TV/7 (Chicago), must file renewal applications by May 28. The order does not impact ABC affiliates licensed to other companies.
Meanwhile, the Bridge News order said the FCC “has been investigating Bridge News, LLC for possible violations of the FCC’s prohibition on unauthorized transfers of control of the station licenses.” Bridge News owns numerous low-power TV stations, including several in the Upper Midwest. They must file for renewal by May 27.
Iowa
The FCC approved Community News Media’s purchase of KTVO/3.1 (Kirksville, Mo.-Ottumwa, Iowa) and KHQA/7.1 (Hannibal, Mo.-Quincy, Ill.-Keokuk, Iowa) from Rincon Broadcasting. The sale includes a total of 15 full-power stations in 12 markets, including some serving Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Community Broadcasting/Bott Radio Network’s KQLF/88.3 (Ottumwa) has completed a move to 88.1, which included an upgrade from 1.4kW/43m (class A) to 11kW/43m (class C3).
Gendreau Broadcast’s KMCN/94.7 (Clinton) and KCLN/1390 (Clinton) have requested special temporary authority to operate at reduced power following recent damage from severe weather. KMCN’s filing indicates that its antenna and/or feedline is damaged and requests use of a temporary antenna with a 1kW/57m facility rather than its licensed 3kW/100m. KMCN transmits from tower one of KCLN’s two-tower directional array; a separate filing indicates KMCN’s temporary antenna will prevent KCLN’s directional array from working properly. KCLN is requesting authority to transmit non-directionally using tower two with 250 Watts day and 22 Watts night, which is one-quarter of its licensed power.
For a second time, Wavelength Dynamics has withdrawn its application for a new low-power TV station on channel 6 in Slater.
Nebraska
The FCC approved Community News Media’s purchase of KLKN/8.1 (Lincoln) from Rincon Broadcasting. The sale includes a total of full-power 15 stations in 12 markets, including some serving Iowa and Wisconsin.
Nebraska Public Media’s KUON-TV/12.1 (Lincoln) is seeking special temporary authority for an interim facility to use while a construction permit to move from RF channel 12 to RF 27 is implemented. KUON is seeking permission to move to channel 27 initially at reduced power, using 22.3kW at 180m above average terrain from a side-mounted antenna on its existing tower. The filing explains that the temporary facility would only be used for about two weeks while a new top-mounted UHF antenna is installed to replace the existing VHF antenna. Utimately, KUON-TV will use 685kW on RF channel 27 from the top-mounted antenna. The side-mounted antenna would then be retained as an auxiliary facility.
Wisconsin
The FCC approved Community News Media’s purchase of WVTV/18.1 (Milwaukee) from Rincon Broadcasting. The sale includes a total of 15 full-power stations in 12 markets, including some serving Iowa and Nebraska.
Note: There were no significant filings or updates to report from Michigan’s UP, Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota this past week.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.