Auction 91 will start on April 27, 2011.
The FCC has pushed back the auction (PDF) of 144 construction permits by about a month, so as not to conflict with the spring NAB Show in early April, in case the bidding takes a few days, according to the agency.
Thirty-seven of the FM CPs on the block are for vacant FM allotments that were offered but not sold in Auction 79.
Engineering consultant Jack Mullaney told the commission the agency should delete allotments that are offered at auction but receive no bids because the vacancies might hamper efforts by existing licensees to change channels or cities of license.
The Media Bureau did not rule on his proposal, saying it would require an amendment to its rules and falls outside the scope of this proceeding.
The FCC has set the highest minimum opening bid at $100,000. Seven of the 144 CPs merit that amount. They’re located in Palmer, Alaska; Coosada, Ala.; Coachella, Calif.; Waterford, Calif.; Daytona Beach Shores, Fla.; Ferrysburg, Mich.; and Lawrence Park, Pa. The lowest minimum opening bid is $1,000.
