Federal Communications Commission	"FCC  XX-XXX"


STATEMENT OF
CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL

Re:	Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations, MB Docket No. 03-185, Fifth Report and Order (July 20, 2023).

Back in the 1980’s a small number of low power television stations operating on channel 6 began to provide supplemental audio programming.  They took advantage of the physics of their location on the broadcast television band, because the uppermost portion of the channel where these television stations made their home was also capable of reception on the lowermost portion of the FM radio dial.  

So far, so good.  Because ultimately this led to more broadcast services to more people in the community.  But when the low power digital television transition rolled around, this got complicated—fast.  That’s because when these stations upgraded to digital transmission, they were unable to reach their analog radio audience.   

For the past two years, we have kept these stations on the air with the equivalent of regulatory gum and bailing wire.  We set up a temporary process that allowed for the use of a separate analog radio transmitter in combination with a digital television facility.  

Now it is time for something sturdier and more permanent.  In light of the fact that we have had two years of experience with this arrangement and no incidents of interference with television operations and adjacent licensees, including other stations on FM radio, we are authorizing these FM6 stations to continue providing analog radio service as “ancillary or supplementary services” under the Communications Act.

That may sound technical.  But to the communities these stations serve it really matters.  Right here in Washington, for instance, WDCN—La Nueva is one of these stations. Broadcasting out of Fairfax, Virginia, it is targeted to those with ties to Central America, featuring public service programming, music, and content from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.  This is a small station that is a big deal to its listeners.  We make it possible today for them to continue to broadcast to their radio listeners, because we know in a world where content feels like it is everywhere, there is still something special about local radio and a signal in the air.  

Thank you to the team responsible for this effort, including Jim Bradshaw, Mark Colombo, Robin Fagan, Tom Horan, Barbara Kreisman, Shaun Maher, Evan Morris, Holly Saurer, and Al Shuldiner from the Media Bureau as well as David Konczal and Anjali Singh from the Office of General Counsel.  
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