On Wednesday, omnibus appropriations legislation that includes $1 billion in additional funding for the broadcast spectrum incentive auction repack was released. The bill appropriates $600 million for the spectrum auction repack fund in FY 2018, with up to $350 million authorized for full-power stations’ relocation, up to $150 million for low-power TV station and translator relocation, up to $50 million for radio stations’ expenses and $50 million for consumer education. An additional $400 million in funding is appropriated for FY 2019.
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said, “We urge immediate passage of this omnibus legislation and look forward to a repack process that holds harmless TV broadcasters, local radio stations and the tens of millions of Americans who rely on our services every day.”
