WKAR hosts public forums to provide the community with information about the upcoming FCC Broadcast Television Incentive Auction, and the possible impact for WKAR-TV and mid-Michigan viewers.
Mon. Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. and Mon. Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.
404 Wilson Road Room 147
Communication Arts and Sciences Building on the Michigan State University campus
In 2016, Michigan State University has the opportunity to relinquish broadcast spectrum currently used by WKAR-TV to broadcast over the air in mid-Michigan, in exchange for a portion of proceeds from the upcoming FCC Broadcast Incentive Auction.
MSU is hosting these public forums to provide more detail on the upcoming FCC Auction, and to allow WKAR members, supporters, viewers and community members to offer their feedback to university leaders as they consider a decision.
Location and Parking
The forums take place in the Communication Arts & Sciences Auditorium, Room 147, 404 Wilson Road on the campus of Michigan State University.
Parking is free (after 6 p.m.) in the Trowbridge Road parking ramp immediately south of the Communicaton Arts and Sciences building (enter the ramp off of Red Cedar or Trowbridge roads). Limited parking is also available adjacent the auditorium in lot 49 on the east side of the building, off of Wilson Road. | Google Map
Background
To free up spectrum space on the airwaves for the growing needs of wireless broadband, the FCC is conducting an auction in Spring 2016 to reallocate a portion of the spectrum from TV broadcasters to mobile providers.
As holder of the broadcast license for WKAR-TV, MSU is being given the opportunity to relinquish the broadcast spectrum used by the television station in exchange for a payment from the FCC of a portion of proceeds generated from the sale of that spectrum to wireless companies. If WKAR-TV gives up its spectrum, the station will lose the ability to broadcast over the air as it does now.
On Dec. 18, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, the license holder for WKAR-TV, approved a resolution to grant President Simon the authority to participate in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadcast Television Incentive Auction being held Spring 2016.
President Simon must decide by Jan. 12 whether MSU will submit an application to participate in the auction process, which is set to begin March 29. Submitting an initial application does not commit the university to participate in the auction in March, but it is a necessary step to preserve that option.
Any action taken with regard to WKAR-TV will not involve the license or operation of WKAR Radio.
We look forward to seeing you at the public forums and reading your online comments.
