In this letter to the editor, the author responds to the story “Expanded-Band AM Stations Ask for FCC Certainty.” Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email [email protected].
Good morning!
Hope you are well. I really take issue with this expanded-band situation. I was around when it came to be and well remember the whole situation.
The idea was to offer licensees of lesser-quality stations an opportunity to be on the air 24/7 with a solid signal. The recipient of the expanded-band license would operate both stations for a FIVE-YEAR term, then turn in the license they didn’t want.
One other benefit would be a slight cleaning up of the band, should the licensee turn in the license of that lesser-quality station.
Another BIG mistake was allowing these stations to not simulcast, creating new formats and revenue streams. Then, there were extensions … and more. Plus, I know of at least one [station] that separated the two licenses, which never should have happened.
Then, FM translators were handed out to licensees that needed them. I wonder how many of these stations, that should’ve been silenced years ago, received a translator. At any rate, everyone knew the rules of the game when they built their expanded-band stations. And I am sure that many predicted that these folks would end up with two stations.
I really believe that in this case, a deal is a deal. They should keep the one that best serves their purposes in serving the public. If they have an FM, it should be joined to the license that they’re keeping and move on.
Thanks.
— Jonathon R. Yinger, president and CEO, the Christian Broadcasting System
