FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CH A IRMAN 
The Honorable Steven Horsford 
U.S. House of Representatives 
1330 Longworth House Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20515 
Dear Congressman Horsford: 
April 22, 2014 
Thank you for your letter asking the Commission to consider the impact of the upcoming 
voluntary Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction on rural, over-the-air, low power 
TV (LPTV) and TV translator stations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond, and will include 
your letter in the record of the proceeding. 
I agree that LPTV and TV translators play an important role in providing information to 
consumers and businesses in rural communities. As you note, in the Middle Class Tax Relief 
and Job Creation Act, Congress did not provide LPTV or TV translator stations additional 
protections or provide an opportunity to participate in the Incentive Auction. In the Incentive 
Auction Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission sought comment on measures to help 
ensure that the important programming content that these stations provide continues to reach 
v1ewers. 
I have recommended to my fellow Commissioners that we seek to clear a consistent 
amount of spectrum on a near-nationwide basis in the Incentive Auction, and not maximize the 
amount of spectrum recovered in rural areas. After the Incentive Auction, spectrum will remain 
available in many rural markets to accommodate LPTV and translator stations. However, some 
of these stations may be required to move to new channels. As you correctly state, these stations 
may not be able to afford the costs associated with moving and, as you know, the Spectrum Act 
provides reimbursement only to full power and Class A LPTV stations that will be repacked as 
part of the Incentive Auction. 
To help accommodate some of the needs of LPTV and translator stations following the 
auction, I have recommended to my fellow Commissioners that these stations be permitted to 
remain on their existing channels during the transition period after the Incentive Auction, unless 
or until notified they interfere with the primary service, and that we open a special filing window 
for displaced stations to request new channels. The full Commission will consider these 
recommendations at its Open Meeting in May. 
Additionally, we will initiate a proceeding to address other LPTV and translator issues 
related to the Incentive Auction. This proceeding will explore options for LPTV and TV 
translators to continue to serve their communities, including seeking comment on possible 
Page 2-The Honorable Steven Horsford 
extension of the low power digital transition deadline and channel sharing for LPTV stations, 
among others. 
I appreciate your interest and concerns, and I hope this information is helpful. 
<:~1-
Tom Wheeler