NDU-04-2009 17:24 From:HDN. CHRISTPHR SMITH 202 227 7768
To:202 418 2806
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
CONSTITUENT SERVICE CENTERS
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(2021 225-3765
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COMMITTEES.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AFRICA AND GLOBAL HEALTH
SUBCOMMJlTEE
HAN/(ING MEMBt!FI
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
SUBCOMMITTEE
COMMISSION ON SECURIrf AND
COOPERATION IN EUROPE
n.'1Nl<lIYG Ml:MHt-H
CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE
COMMISSION ON CHINA
R;,\NOCtNO MEMfJCn
November 4. 2009
I'he Honorable Julius Genacbowski
Chainnan
Fc.:ucri.ll CommunicatiOl1S COlllmission
445 I2th~treet,SW
Wa."hington DC 20554
OCAN.NOW
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r am writing to express my long-n11'lning concern about the Itlck ofa VHF~/0
television station in New Jer!;ey, and an important initiative now underway to remedy this )
inequity.
Dcar Chuimlan Uenachowski:
Recently, I was contacted by PMCM TV, a group really Lo relocate a station to
New Jersey with theobj(:;l~liveoffina.lly filling t11e local television prograrnming void that
cxits in most ofmy state. The principals ofPMCM are also the principals ofPress
Communicat.ions, the current liccnsce ofseveral radio stations in New Jer.sey that pUl a
emphasis on local content.M~rnbersofthis group have all>o established and operated
televisiol1 stations and radio stalions throughout thc bastern UnitedStat~for over 30
yel'lrs. They understand Lhe broadcast husiness, New Jersey's needs, and most
illlpOJ1antly the crucial need for local programming in my state.
On .Tune 15,2009, PMCM TV t1ledadvi~emcntnoLilications WiTh the FCC.
regarding its intention to move a commercial VHF television sLation to Nl;.lW Jersey.
FOl1lmately. Section 331 of Lhe COn1n1UnicatiollS Acl properly provides opportunities,
like the one initiated by PMCMTV~to provide cOllunercial VHF channeJs to~tateslike
New Jersey that uo not have II full-power comme:;rc.ial VHF channel.
Whi.1e the type offiling being undertaken by PMCM TV is not common, thc:re is
Jlrecedent for it and on. a prior occasion at which time on the FCC' was able Lu act on
channeJ reallocalion within th.ree nlonths after the nutification filing. Therefore, it is my
hope that you can quickly review the PMCM TV's notifications and move forward on
providing NewJer~eyVHF chmmcJ andLh~Lype ofloeal programming content that ils
ov~reight mi Ilion ,residents deserve.
(!) PR'N,",D ON,,~r,'fnF.DMPEII
NOU-04-2009 17:24 From:HON. CHRISTPHR SMITH 202 227 7768
To:202 418 2806
Please keep me informed regarding the FCC's action on. the llOlifu;·ation request
filed by PMCM TV and any other initiaLives the FCC will be taking to provide local
programming to New Jersey residents.Plea~eno Ilot hesitale;; to c·ontact me or DavId
Kush ofmy slall' aL 202-225-3765 ifyo\1 have any ftuther quc;stions regarding this
irnporLanL matter.
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
Memher ofCOl'lgress