Federal Communications Commission DA 10-340
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
)
In the Matter of )
)
Amendment of Section 73.622(i), ) MB Docket No. 10-21
Final DTV Table of Allotments, ) RM-11590
Television Broadcast Stations. )
(Birmingham, Alabama) )
REPORT AND ORDER
(Proceeding Terminated)
Adopted: February 26, 2010 Released:  March 2, 2010
By the Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau:
1. The Commission has before it a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking1 issued in response to a 
petition for rulemaking filed by Alabama Educational Television Commission (“AETC”), the licensee of 
noncommercial educational station WBIQ(TV), channel *10, Birmingham, Alabama.  AETC requests the 
substitution of channel *39 for channel *10 at Birmingham.  AETC filed comments reaffirming its interest 
in the proposed channel substitution.  No other comments were received.
2. We believe the public interest would be served by substituting channel *39 for channel *10 
at Birmingham.  AETC asserts that this channel substitution will “serve the public interest by allowing 
AETC to increase the station’s operating power and improve local coverage, while avoiding the significant 
limitations on reception resulting from WBIQ’s current high band VHF channel operation.”2 AETC claims 
that “building penetration, multipath, and cliff effect issues are hindering the operation of WBIQ’s” channel 
*10 DTV facility.”3 AETC concludes that operation on UHF channel *39 will not only alleviate the 
“reception problems associated with its present high-band VHF channel operation,” 4 but will also increase 
the area and population served by WBIQ(TV).
3. Channel *39 can be substituted for channel *10 at Birmingham, Alabama, as proposed, in 
compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Section 73.625(a) of the Commission’s 
rules, at coordinates 33-29-04  N. and 86-48-25 W.  In addition, we find that this channel change meets the 
technical requirements set forth in Sections 73.616 and 73.623 of the Commission’s rules with the following 
specifications: 5
 
1 Birmingham, Alabama, DA 10-57 (rel. Jan. 12, 2010).
2 AETC Petition for Rulemaking at 1.
3 Id. at 2
4 Id. at 2
5 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.616 and 73.623.  The channel *39 WBIQ(TV) facility at Birmingham exceeds the maximum 
allowable ERP and antenna height for television stations operating on channels 14-59, in all zones.  47 C.F.R. 
§73.622(f)(8).  However, the proposed facility will not exceed the geographic coverage of the largest licensed station 
in the market, WIAT(TV), Birmingham, Alabama, and is therefore permissible pursuant to the Commission’s Rules.
Federal Communications Commission DA 10-340
2
City and State Channel Power Antenna HAAT Service Pop. 
(kW) (meters) (thous.)
Birmingham, Alabama *39 1000 365.5 1,476
4. We also conclude that good cause exists to make this channel change effective immediately 
upon publication in the Federal Register, pursuant to Section 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedures 
Act.6 An expedited effective date is necessary in this case to ensure that station WBIQ(TV)can quickly 
alleviate its reception problems and restore service to former viewers.
5. Accordingly, pursuant to the authority contained in Sections 4(i), 5(c)(1), 303(g) and (r) 
and 307(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Sections 0.61, 0.204(b) and 0.283 of the 
Commission’s rules, IT IS ORDERED, That effective immediately upon publication of this Report and 
Order in the Federal Register, the Post-Transition Table of DTV Allotments, Section 73.622(i) of the 
Commission’s rules, IS AMENDED, with respect to the community listed below, to read as follows:
City and State Channel Nos.
Birmingham, Alabama 13, 30, 36, *39, 50
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That within 30 days of the effective date of this Order, 
Alabama Educational Television Commission shall submit to the Commission a minor change application 
for a construction permit (FCC Form 340) specifying channel *39 in lieu of channel *10.
7. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order in a report to be sent to 
Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 
U.S.C. § 801(a)(1)(A).
8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That this proceeding IS TERMINATED. 
9. For further information concerning the proceeding listed above, contact Adrienne Y. 
Denysyk, Media Bureau, (202) 418-1600. 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Barbara A. Kreisman 
Chief, Video Division
Media Bureau
 
6 5 U.S.C. § 553(d)(3).