Broadcast license

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A broadcast license is a type of spectrum license granting the licensee permission to use a portion of the radio frequency spectrum in a given geographical area for broadcasting purposes. The licenses generally include restrictions, which vary from band to band.[1]

Spectrum may be divided according to use. As indicated in a graph from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), frequency allocations may be represented by different types of services which vary in size.[2] Many options exist when applying for a broadcast license; the FCC determines how much spectrum to allot to licensees in a given band,[3] according to what is needed for the service in question.[1]

The determination of frequencies used by licensees is done through frequency allocation, which in the

table of allotments. The FCC is authorized to regulate spectrum access for private and government uses; however, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Commerce Department
allocates spectrum for use by the federal government (including the military).

In some cases (e.g.

CB radio, Wi-Fi), the public may use spectrum without a license. Commercial users (such as television, AM/FM radio, and some types of two-way communications) will receive an FCC assignment to a portion of spectrum, which may be a single frequency or a band of frequencies. In issuing broadcast licenses the FCC relies on "comparative hearings", whereby the most qualified user will be granted use of the spectrum to best serve the public interest; researchers have pointed out that this procedure favors incumbents.[4]

Violation of the terms of a license (due to technical fault or illegal content) may result in fines or revocation of the license. Licenses have also been jeopardized by misrepresentation on the part of the holder or failure to keep a public file (in the U.S. and Canada). Unlicensed broadcasting refers to legal devices allowed to transmit at low power without a license and pirate stations, which violate the law.

Economics

In the U.S. broadcast licenses were issued for only a nominal payment, but economist

non-commercial educational
users (who are shut out of the process for economic reasons).

Licensing is conducted by a broadcasting authority (a government agency) to manage the radio-frequency spectrum and implement public policy, such as that regarding the concentration of media ownership. In the U.S. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not assign licenses to exclusive users, instead permitting qualified users to apply for a license.[1] The Radio Act of 1927 established the regulatory premise that the spectrum belongs to the public, and licensees have no property rights to use it.[5] Although the spectrum is licensed to bidders, its purchase does not entail ownership or rights but the privilege of using that portion of the spectrum.

Process

The process of obtaining a new broadcast license may be lengthy. A

RF interference to existing stations. There is a limited term for the license, once acquired. According to the United States Government Printing Office in 1997, the term could exceed 8 years;[6] however, this has been shortened to five years or less (depending on whether the FCC requires further evaluation).[7]

A

predicted broadcast range, since radio propagation
sometimes causes stations to be heard outside their service area.

Existing stations apply for permits and license amendments when making changes to their facilities (such as relocation to another site, changing the

proceedings in the U.S., which may be a prerequisite to moving a station a significant distance (leaving its original community outside its new coverage area). Temporary situations are covered by special temporary authority (STA) to operate at a variance from the license or permit or a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) to operate for a fixed period at reduced power. While these are FCC and Ofcom
terms, respectively, other countries have similar regulations.

In the U.S., court cases can prolong the process when

mutually exclusive applications are received. The FCC opens application window periods of about a week. Some applications have been pending for years; others end up in administrative law courts or arbitration, sometimes with one applicant seeking a buyout
of another.

Technical specifications

Management of technical

content
), and are licensed differently.

The broadcast license typically specifies the following minimum information:

Additionally, it often specifies:

Some countries (such as the

ATSC
system mandated by the FCC.

Sharing

In some cases, two stations may share the same frequency in the same area, or even the same facility.

TV channels 38 to 51 into those already using 2 to 36), but are allowed to move the license to another existing station, keeping their virtual channel numbers and must-carry
rights. Each licensee is responsible for the content on their own channels, while both are jointly responsible for the technical operation of the transmitter, antenna, and tower.

In the

WNYU-FM1, unless the U.N. should ever apply to use it.[8]

Renewal

Licensing requirements differ for

television and for community radio and television compared to commercial applicants. Licensees must be aware of deadlines, from original application to renewal, which vary by state[9][10] and include license expiration and dates for renewals. The form for renewal of a broadcast license in the United States is FCC Form 303-S. While the Form 303-S License Application consists of yes-or-no questions and certifications, the process of renewing the license is complex; the FCC requires that licensees certify that they were in compliance with all rules and regulations during the prior license term. If a license has been acquired in the middle of a term, the licensee will be evaluated from that point to the end of the license term. Misrepresentation to the FCC may lead to the loss of a license.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9780262140911
    .
  2. ^ "National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) United States Frequency Allocations The Radio Spectrum" (PDF). doc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  3. ISBN 9780262140911
    .
  4. ^ Krattenmaker, T. G. & Pwwe, L. A. Jr. (1994). Regulating Broadcast programming.
  5. ISBN 9780262140911
    .
  6. ^ "United States Government Printing Office Broadcast License Terms" (PDF). gpo.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  7. ^ "The Museum of Broadcast Communications - Encyclopedia of Television". www.museum.tv. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "FM Query Results -- Audio Division (FCC) USA". www.fcc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  9. ^ Federal Communications Commission Broadcast License Renewal Filing & Expiration Dates Archived April 8, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Federal Communications Commission License Renewal Applications for Television Broadcast Stations". fcc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  11. ^ "Preparing for Radio Station FCC License Renewals - Advisories & Blogs - Davis Wright Tremaine". www.dwt.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

External links

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