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September 18, 2013
The Honorable Mignon Clyburn
Acting Chairwoman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairwoman Clyburn:
Received &Inspected
SEP 232013
FCC Mail Room
We are writing to draw your attention to the urgent need for action on the long-pending request
of station WMC-TV, Memphis, Tennessee, to move from low VHF Channel 5 to UHF Channel
17.
WMC-TV filed its request to change channels over two years ago, in May 2011, because so
many of its viewers and our constituents have been unable to receive the station's free, over-the­
air signal since the digital transition in 2009. The inability to receive WMC-TV's low VHF
signal hits hardest senior citizens, low-income households, and African American households
which still depend substantially on over-the-air television. These viewers are unable to access
WMC-TV's vital news and emergency information, network programming - including Bounce
TV programming, a network launched specifically to serve African American viewers - and
other program offerings. Many have been forced to pay for cable or satellite subscriptions in
order to receive the station's signal, while many others cannot afford to do so, and have simply
given up on being able to access WMC-TV's services.
By moving to its requested UHF channel, WMC-TV would be able to provide a more robust
over-the-air signal that would be free to these households. We understand that the Commission
has expressed reluctance to process the station's petition, although it was filed before the freeze
on future, similar filings was issued. Notably, in issuing the freeze, the Commission committed
to continue processing petitions that already had been filed. In addition, Congress added Section
6403(g)(I)(B) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of2012 to ensure that the
Commission could act on such petitions consistent with - not contrary to - that legislation.
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Thousands of viewers have been waiting for years for relief on this issue. In the interests of
basic fairness and serving the public interest, we ask that the Commission move expeditiously to
take action on WMC-TV's petition.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
Alan Nunnele
Member ofCongress
Rick Crawford
Member of Congress
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Member of Congress
Step Fincher
Member of Congress
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