FCC Announces 2022 Auction of Full Power TV Station Construction Permits

On November 19, 2022, the FCC announced its plans for a June 2022 auction of 27 construction permits for full power television stations, most of which are located in western states.  The permits are for specific channel allotments contained in the Table of Television Allotments and assigned at the indicated communities for which there currently is not a licensee.

The FCC’s notice proposes competitive bidding rules for the auction, with comments due December 13, 2021 and reply comments due December 23, 2021.  The minimum opening bid and upfront payment amounts can be commented upon.  Most start at $200,000, with three at $500,000 and one at $1,000,000.

Interested parties should begin exploring tower/transmitter site options now given that site options may be limited due to the location of the allotments.

No specific deadlines have been announced for the auction, which has been designated Auction 112.  We expect a public notice with the auction rules and deadlines sometime in January 2022.