Displaced LPTV Reimbursement Initial Deadline Not Yet Announced

Back in March, the FCC adopted a Report & Order on the eligibility and process for displaced LPTV and TV translator stations to receive reimbursement for costs reasonably incurred in the construction of their new facilities.  According to that Order, the process for these stations will begin with an announcement of a deadline for submission of initial cost estimates. As of this writing, that deadline has not yet been announced. Some stations are already incurring expenses due to existing displacement situations. Documentation should be carefully maintained to support the reimbursement process.

Displaced stations must meet certain criteria to be eligible for reimbursement. They must have filed an application within the 2018 Special Displacement Filing Window, received a construction permit arising from a grant of that application, and been licensed and transmitting for at least nine of the 12 months prior to April 13, 2017.

Stations will have to certify that they meet the eligibility criteria, including providing supporting documentation to prove operation during the required pre-April 2017 period, which could, by way of example, include evidence of programming aired by the station during the relevant period such as program guides or electric power bills.  Now is a good time to locate such documentation.  Stations will also have to list their existing equipment and estimated replacement costs.

Stations that have already purchased equipment will be able to submit those invoice amounts instead of estimates.  After submitting these forms, the FCC will review all estimates and make a decision on what percentage of expenses will be allocated (i.e., it is possible that there will not be enough in the reimbursement fund to reimburse all displacement costs).  From there, the FCC will allocate funds in traunches to stations for their drawdown and use.  Stations will have to file Form 1876 to create a reimbursement account, specifying the bank account that will receive reimbursement funds.