Posted by Steve Green on October 14, 2009 at 09:56:45:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Four Applicants For 1700 AM in Rockland County posted by Bob Smith on October 13, 2009 at 22:14:17:
Back in the days of the LPFM applicants, I recall there being something of a tie-breaker in the case where there were two or more applicants for the open frequency.
I believe there were three levels of implied additional compliance in case of mutual applications. Each 'in-case-of' level meant more hours, or more local programming. In the instance the co-applicants both met what they vowed -- both took the same oath after playing chicken -- the FCC would rule that they split the frequency.
The X-Band came along before the LPFM thing, so obviously there might be different rules. But it would seem to be a good thing -- a less mercenary gesture -- to base the decision at least partly on which company actually plans to serve the community best?
One of the posts here hinted that at least one of the candidates plans to sit on the frequency for re-sale. All well and good ; that's business. And money is always easier to judge than motivation. But if the highest roller and winner is actually the most earnest and misty-eyed Indian Point radio patriot of the bunch and is prevented from doing the intended local service well *because* of overbidding, that's different. It may be reality, and it may be the rule, but that doesn't make it fair.
There are two sets of rules here, long after the LPFM windows were closed. There are two different standards. I feel the right thing is that the frequency goes to the most local/sincere applicant, not to a carpetbagger or speculator. With 11,000 or so station licenses issued, the FCC ought to be able to tell the difference by now. And presuming that they do know the difference, they should act properly and at least *consider* the intent. If they don't, then Rockland 1700 is likely to become yet another overleveraged, underperforming short-wave relay listened to by no one.