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wma~btngton, ]D~ 20510 
April 13, 2017 
The Honorable Ajit Pai 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, SW 
Washington, DC 20536 
Dear Chairman Pai: 
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r:cc Mail Room 
We write seeking information on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) plan to 
ensure that consumers' access to local television broadcasting is not compromised in any way 
during the incentive broadcast auction process, including plans to communicate with consumers 
in a timely fashion about any impact on their viewing options. 
Hearst Television Inc., the parent company ofWNNE (NBC), voluntarily sold its rights back to 
the FCC in the recently completed reverse auction, potentially leaving a number of households in 
Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts without broadcast NBC coverage. It is our 
understanding from the company that, in some instances, households could have no over the air 
broadcast service at all, potentially leaving consumers who do not have satellite or cable services 
without broadcast access to emergency alert systems, local news, and weather forecasts. In 
Vermont, Hearst estimates that 2,000 to 4,000 households could be impacted in Rutland and 
Windsor counties starting this fall. 
As you may know, Tropical Storm Irene devastated Vermont in 2011, causing loss oflife and 
significant damage to homes and businesses. Local news was an important source of information 
for Vermonters during and after the storm, keeping them informed throughout this natural 
disaster. It is critical that Vermonters continue to have access to broadcast services in the event 
of a similar crisis in the future. 
We ask that you report to us on how the FCC will ensure that Vermonters impacted by this 
auction sale will continue to receive over the air broadcast service. 
Sincerely, 
~ .~.L ;l?._,/AL, ... c-
pATRICK LE~-~ . BERNARD SANDERS 
United States Senator United States Senator United States Congressman.