Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
DA 07-3329
Released:July 20, 2007
1800E3-JLB
Christian Television Network, Inc.
c/o Mark A. Balkin, Esq.
Hardy, Carey, Chautin & Balkin, LLP
1080 West Causeway Approach
Mandeville, Louisiana  70471
Re: WGNM(TV), Macon, Georgia
Facility ID No. 24618
Dear Licensee:
Christian Television Network, Inc. (CTN), the licensee of analog television station WGNM(TV),
NTSC Channel 64 and digital television station WGNM-DT, DTV Channel 45, Macon, Georgia, has filed 
a  request for Commission authority to: (i) cease analog broadcasting on NTSC Channel 64 and surrender 
its license for the channel prior to the end of the DTV transition period; and (ii) thereafter operate 
WGNM-DT as a single channel, digital-only television station on DTV Channel 45.  CTN’s proposal 
appeared on public notice on March 23, 2006.  
CTN’s request was submitted pursuant to the voluntary band-clearing mechanisms adopted by the 
Commission to facilitate the clearing of channels 59-69.  In the Upper 700 MHz MO&O and FNRPM,1
the Commission established a rebuttable presumption that, in certain circumstances, substantial public 
interest benefits will arise from a voluntary agreement between a 700 MHz licensee and an incumbent 
broadcast licensee on Channels 59-69 that clears the 700 MHz band of incumbent television licensee(s). 
In particular, this favorable presumption attaches to any requests that: (1) would make new or expanded 
wireless service, such as '2.5' or '3G' services, available to consumers; (2) would clear commercial 
frequencies that enable provision of public safety services; or (3) would result in the provision of wireless 
service to rural or other underserved communities. The applicant would also need to show that grant of 
the request would not result in any one of the following: (1) the loss of any of the four stations in the 
designated market area (DMA) with the largest audience share; (2) the loss of the sole service licensed to 
the local community; or (3) the loss of a community's sole service on a channel reserved for 
noncommercial educational broadcast service.2 The Commission further indicated that when this 
presumption is not established, or is rebutted, it would review regulatory requests by weighing the loss of 
broadcast service and the advent of new wireless service on a case-by-case basis.3
In support of its request to voluntarily vacate NTSC Channel 64, CTN asserts that early return 
will serve the public interest because it would clear commercial spectrum that would enable public safety 
useage, and further enhance interference-free public safety utilization of Channels 63 and 64.  In addition, 
WGNM is not the sole television station licensed to Macon, and is not one of the top four stations in the 
Macon DMA.
  
1 Upper 700 MHz MO&O and FNRPM, 15 FCC Rcd 20845 (2000).
2  Id. at 20870-71.
3 Id. 
2
CTN acknowledges that the early return of its NTSC channel will result in loss of an over-the-air 
analog service, but contends that the impact on the public will be imperceptible.  First, according to CTN, 
the Macon DMA has a total cable and/or alternative delivery system penetration rate of 91.4%  and its 
DTV signal coverage area is larger its analog signal coverage.  CTN represents that it will demand that 
the cable operators initially carry WGNM-DT’s over-the air digital signal in an analog format, and 
provide the cable operators with the conversion equipment necessary to translate the station’s over-the-air 
signal from digital to analog.  CTN further states that almost all of viewers residing within WGNM(TV)’s 
Grade B contour will continue to receive five or more off-the-air television signals; while 3638 persons 
will receive only four analog off-the-air television signals after WGNM(TV) ceases analog operation, 
they will continue to receive all four major networks.  
Based upon the foregoing, we believe that CTN has met all of the factors necessary to come 
within the rebuttable presumption, and that the public interest would be served by permitting CTN to 
surrender its license for NTSC Channel 64 and operate as a single channel, digital-only television station
on DTV Channel 45.  Accordingly, CTN’s band-clearing request IS GRANTED.  
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Kreisman
Chief, Video Division
Media Bureau