FCC To Help California Stations

The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has outlined procedures it has put in place to help TV and radio stations continue to reach over-the-air viewers if their towers are "compromised" by the California wildfires. In a public notice issued late Monday, the bureau provided staff contacts for affected broadcasters and explained what avenues were available for expedited applications, waivers of standard commission policy and other help. Those include cutting red tape for applications for special temporary authority to operate the station at variance with its FCC-authorized operation, allowing radio and TV stations to erect emergency antennas without first clearing it with the commission, allowing AM radio stations to remain at full power throughout the night based on the "good faith" assurance that it is necessary to protect life and property, and, if necessary, waivers of the usual notification timelines for stations that have to discontinue operations.