FCC Launches Program to Assist Broadcasters With Incentive Auction

NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov [4]

Washington, D. C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS CONTACT:

September 28, 2012
Neil Grace: 202 418-0506
Email: Neil.Grace@fcc.gov [5]

FCC LAUNCHES BROADCASTER L-E-A-R-N PROGRAM TO OFFER IN-DEPTH

RESOURCES & SERVICES TO BROADCASTER COMMUNITY ABOUT THE UNIQUE

FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES OF INCENTIVE AUCTIONS

Announces first LEARN Program Workshop will be held on Friday, October 26th

(Washington, D.C.) - The Federal Communications Commission today announced the official launch of
the Broadcaster LEARN (Learn Everything About Reverse-Auctions Now) Program. The LEARN
Program is designed to offer broadcasters valuable information about the unique financial opportunities of
incentive auctions and engage the broadcaster community throughout the entire incentive auction
planning, design and execution processes.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said

, “Incentive auctions are a win for broadcasters – both those
that will take advantage of a once in a lifetime financial opportunity, and those that will choose to
continue to be a part of an even healthier and diverse broadcast marketplace. We are focused on ensuring
that the incentive auction process is open, transparent, and data-driven, and are committed to educate all
stakeholders, including through the Broadcaster LEARN Program, which is designed to inform and
empower broadcaster decision-makers as they participate in our comment process and consider this
business decision.”
Incentive auctions are a policy innovation that came out of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan and
became the foundation for legislation that was signed into law in February 2012. These auctions are a
market-based tool designed to offer financial opportunities to broadcasters who volunteer spectrum for
auction by the FCC to wireless carriers. Participating broadcasters would then receive a portion of the
auction proceeds.

The first LEARN Program workshop is scheduled for Friday, October 26, 2012.

More details on this
workshop will be announced soon. In addition, the Commission has launched a new webpage,
www.fcc.gov/LEARNprogram [6], which will serve as a central resource for a collection of auction-related
material, including:
·
Dates and time for onsite and online FCC and third-party education sessions
·
Links to live, interactive webinars
·
Incentive Auction FAQs
·
Archived FCC presentations & webcasts
·
A summary of proposed auction designs
·
Rule-makings and related FCC proceedings
·
Links to helpful third-party material
·
A dedicated email box for questions (learn@fcc.gov [7])
Materials for the LEARN Program will continue to develop and be supplemented over time, and additions
to the website will be announced as they become available.
-FCC-
For news and information about the FCC, please visit: www.fcc.gov [4]

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