PMCM Wants To Move Stations
Proposed Ely, Nevada (KNVN) and Jackson, Wyoming (KJWY) to Monmouth, N.J. and Wimington, Del., respectively
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/16/2009 6:53:31 PM
During a Hill hearing Tuesday, New Jersey Deocratic Senator Frank Lautenberg praised the digital transition for the improved signals it sent New Jersey's way, but also pointed out that the state still does not have its own media market.One station owner wants to change that.
According to the lawyer for station owner PMCM TV, the company has proposed to the FCC that it move its stations in Ely, Nevada (KNVN) and Jackson, Wyoming (KJWY) to Monmouth, N.J. and Wimington, Del., respectively, saying that would fill the void left by the FCC's change in the table of allotments "occasioned by" the digital transition, which he said has left both states without a full-power commercial television station licensed to it.
"Once the stations are built," says PMCM, "they obviously will provide new job opportunities in both communities."
PMCM already owns radio stations in New Jersey, the company points out, one of which they prompted as serving New Jersey, not nearby New York or Philadelphia..
Talkback
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What a ridiculous idea...in the (unlikely) event that the FCC were to approve these proposed moves, it would empty out a good chunk of the country, as speculators bought up small market stations with the intention of moving them to...well, where ever.
After all, why stay in Miles City, MT when you can move to the Denver, Seattle, or where ever you think that the grass is greener.
In any event, I can't possibly imagine that this proposal would be legal. First off, it should violate the Communications Act's requirement for an equitable distribution of service, and second, it must surely violate government rulemaking processes to allow such moves without major, major changes to the FCC's move criteria occurring first.
Tom Desmond - 6/17/2009 6:59:16 PM EDT -
Now wait a second. WWOR was forced to NJ many years ago, and the state (NJ) has WNET on a commercial channel licensed to Newark, NJ. Maybe WNET needs to do more coverage of NJ? Or even acknowledge their city of license in a font larger than four Tv lines? There's a few other commercial stations in NJ. Newton, Atlantic City, Wildwood just to name a few. Then there is the spectrum issue- what channels would they propose. It isn;t wide open there, its congested.
George Csahanin - 6/17/2009 12:11:46 PM EDT -
Correction: KVNV, not KNVN, is involved. KNVN is owned by Catamount B'casting.
Raymie Humbert - 6/16/2009 8:48:49 PM EDT
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