Small and independent businesses could qualify to lease digital b...
Small and independent businesses could qualify to lease digital broadcast spectrum and start operations similar to stations under a system like the one used to determine designated entities in wireless or broadcast auctions, FCC Chmn. Martin said, referring to…
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his idea to mandate cable carriage for such arrangements (CD Feb 15 p7). “The Commission has certain rules about who would qualify as a small business” in those situations, Martin said. Martin opened the Commission’s media ownership hearing in Harrisburg, Pa. by mentioning the idea. Broadcasters are finding themselves with surplus spectrum as they switch to digital broadcast technology, he said: “Small and independently owned businesses can take advantage of this to operate their own stations” with the same rights and obligations as other broadcasters. Such rights would include compulsory cable carriage and obligations would include children’s and public interest programming.