Padden Says There Are 25-Plus Major Market Stations In Coalition

Stations are where FCC is most in need of getting spectrum says Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition executive director

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/12/2012 2:31:31 PM

Preston Padden, executive director of the newly formed Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition, confirmed that there are now more than 25 stations "in major markets" represented his group of broadcasters interested in making some spectrum available for auction.

That came in a letter to the chairman of the House Communications Subcommittee in advance of the hearing Wednesday on the status of the incentive auctions mandated by Congress.

Padden, who is not revealing membership in the coalition, did say that they were all in markets "where the FCC's need for willing sellers is likely to be the greatest." He also tells the chairman that the coalition is receiving membership inquiries "on a weekly basis."

The coalition was formed last month to represent TV stations that "under the right conditions, would like to participate in the auction," Padden said when the group was announced.

The National Association of Broadcasters has acknowledged that some broadcasters may want to participate, but is obviously focused on broadcasters staying in the business and has said there was no groundswell of members looking to sell. Padden says he sees the coalition as being complementary to the efforts of NAB, which has also said it wants to work with the FCC on a successful auction. Padden has pointed out that participants in the auction may also continue in the business if opting for channel sharing or moving.