The following are updates to stories previously reported here and smaller recent FCC filings and actions that do not merit a full story of their own at this time:
The FCC has told Edge Spectrum that it is ineligible to seek six-month extensions to move its licensed digital low-power TV stations to new channels. The licensee had been seeking extensions until January 2022 to resume broadcasting for LPTV stations that are still licensed on channels above 36, which have been discontinued. The FCC said the six-month extensions in question are only allowed for construction permits for new digital LPTV stations or analog LPTV stations transitioning to digital. It suggested that Edge may be able to submit requests for tolling instead. The affected stations are K20KF-D (Davenport, IA), K44GH-D (Alexandria, MN), K48KJ-D (Geneva, MN), K38MM-D (International Falls, MN), KHVM-LD/48 (Minneapolis, MN), KTCJ-LD/50 (Minneapolis, MN), K47JE-D (Olivia, MN), K47JC-D (Wadena, MN), K43JQ-D (Bismarck, ND), K42IM-D (Minot, ND), and K49LK-D (North Platte, NE)
Iowa
The FCC granted an extension for new low-power TV station K17MH-D (Cedar Falls) to sign on. The new deadline is in January 2022.
Minnesota
A construction permit was granted to convert analog TV translator K28DD (Bemidji) to digital broadcasting with 15kW. K28DD relays ABC affiliate KSTP-TV (St. Paul) via KSAX (Alexandria).
WCMN-LP (St. Cloud) was granted an extension until January 2022 to begin digital broadcasting on channel 14.
Nebraska
The FCC approved a change to the DTV table of allotments move Sinclair ABC/FOX affiliate KHGI/13 (Kearney) to a UHF frequency. The FCC’s report and order notes that Sinclair was the only entity to file comments during a window for public comment on the proposal. KHGI will now be able to formally apply for a construction permit to move to channel 18, using 1,000kW, but will still be able to remap to virtual channel 13. The new facility will reach about 240,000 people.
The FCC granted an extension for new low-power TV station KIUA-LD/15 (Lincoln) to sign on. The new deadline is in January 2022.
KOHA-LD (Omaha) requested special temporary authority to continue broadcasting on channel 27 with 4kW. The station has a construction permit to use 15kW on the channel but says it is not yet ready to turn on the 15kW facility. A previous STA to use 4kW expired in January, and the station apologized to the FCC for not seeking an extension before the STA expired.
North Dakota
The FCC granted extensions for new low-power TV stations K15MR-D (Fargo), K22OG-D (Fargo), and K27LX-D (Minot) to sign on. The new deadlines are in January 2022.
An application was filed to transfer control of Faith Broadcasting, licensee of KHRT/1320 and KHRT-FM/106.9 (Minot), from the Estate of Richard B. Leavitt to Roy Leavitt. Roy is the son of Richard, who died last October.
South Dakota
Prairie Winds Broadcasting completed the move of K236CU/95.1 (Milbank) and K252FB/98.3 (Milbank) to its South Shore transmitter site, with K252FB changing frequency to 98.1 under the new callsign K251CX. K236CU continues to relay the Classic Hits format of KMSD/1510 (Milbank) while K251CX lists KPHR as its primary station, presumably to carry an HD subchannel since KPHR transmits from the same site.
The FCC granted extensions to the construction permits for low-power TV stations KKRA-LP (Rapid City), KWBH-LP (Rapid City), KCPO-LP (Sioux Falls), KCWS-LP (Sioux Falls), and KAUN-LP (Sioux Falls) to convert from analog to digital broadcasting. The new deadlines are in January 2022.
Wisconsin
The FCC cancelled the construction permit for new FM translator W259DF/99.7 (Wittenberg), which had been granted during the AM revitalization window to relay WATK/900 (Antigo). The translator was not built by the April 10 deadline.
Calvary Radio Network’s WJWD/90.3 (Marshall-Madison) applied to use a circularly polarized antenna with 9.7kW, replacing the current setup of 9.9kW vertical and 51 Watts horizontal. The application says the previous facility was constructed with limited horizontal power due to TV channel 6 broadcasting in the area; WITI (Milwaukee) discontinued using RF channel 6 in 2009.
The FCC granted a move by future Gray TV low-power TV station W31EV-D (Wausau) to the shared transmission tower on Rib Mountain.
The FCC granted extensions to the construction permits for low-power TV stations W30BU (Green Bay), WPVS-LP (Milwaukee), W02CF (Minocqua), and WEZY-LP (Tomah) to convert from analog to digital broadcasting. It also granted extensions for new low-power TV stations W14ER-D (Eau Claire), W23FC-D (Eau Claire), W33DH-D (Eau Claire), and W31EV-D (Wausau) to sign on. The new deadlines are in January 2022.
Low-power TV station WBOO-LP (Elk Mound-Eau Claire) requested tolling for its deadline to return to the air. WBOO-LP formerly broadcast in analog on the now-discontinued channel 45 and faces a July 13 deadline to begin digital broadcasts on channel 18. The station says the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed efforts to complete the digital facility and seeks a six-month extension or “whatever time period the Commission Staff should deem appropriate in this situation.”