Auction 81: Low Power Television (LPTV)

Event	Date
Pre-Auction Seminar	6/24/2005
FCC Form 175 Remedial Filing Window Opens	6/24/2005; 12:00 noon ET
FCC Form 175 Remedial Filing Window Deadline	7/8/2005; 6:00 pm ET
Upfront Payments Deadline	8/12/2005; 6:00 pm ET
Mock Auction	9/12/2005
Auction Start	9/14/2005
Auction Closed	9/26/2005

Construction Permits Offered

Auction No. 81 offered 113 construction permits for specified low power television (LPTV), television translator and Class A television broadcast stations. These construction permits were the subject of pending mutually-exclusive (MX) short-form applications (FCC Forms 175) filed on or before August 4, 2000. Participation in this auction was limited to those applicants and engineering proposals identified in Attachment A in Public Notice DA 05-1337 . Qualifying applicants were eligible to bid only on those construction permits for which the applicant's engineering proposal is specified in the particular mutually exclusive group (“MX group”) as set forth in Attachment A of Public Notice DA 05-1337 . All engineering proposals within an MX group were directly mutually exclusive with one another, and therefore a single construction permit was auctioned for each MX group identified in Attachment A. In no instance was more than a single construction permit awarded to the winning bidder for a particular MX group, even if that bidder had submitted more than one engineering proposal that is included in that MX group.

Permissible Operations

LPTV (Secondary Service Television (SST)) - A station that may retransmit the programs and signals of a TV broadcast station and that may originate programming in any amount greater than 30 seconds per hour and/or operates a subscription service. Particular LPTV stations which meet specified criteria are accorded primary status as Class A television broadcast stations.

Television Translator (SST) – A station operated for the purpose of retransmitting the programs and signals of a television broadcast station, without significantly altering any characteristic of the original signal other than its frequency and amplitude, for the purpose of providing television reception to the general public.

License Period

A winning bidder, if its long-form application is granted, is awarded a construction permit, rather than a "license." A winning bidder is required, within a specified time period, to construct its facility and file an application for a "license to cover construction permits" to obtain a license for the constructed facility. (See 47 C.F.R. § 73.3598 ) Licenses are issued for an eight-year term.

New Entrant Bidding Credit

A New Entrant Bidding Credit was available for this auction. Eligibility and application requirements for New Entrant Bidding Credit are specified in Public Notice DA 05-1337 . Applicants that qualify for the New Entrant Bidding Credit are eligible for a bidding credit that represents the amount by which a bidder's winning bid is discounted. The size of a New Entrant Bidding Credit depends on the number of ownership interests in other "media of mass communications" that are attributable to the bidder-entity and its attributable interest-holders:

A 35 percent bidding credit was given to a winning bidder if it, and/or any individual or entity with an attributable interest in the winning bidder, has no attributable interest in any other media of mass communications;
A 25 percent bidding credit was given to a winning bidder if it, and/or any individual or entity with an attributable interest in the winning bidder, has an attributable interest in no more than three mass media facilities;
No bidding credit was given if any of the commonly owned mass media facilities serve the same area as the proposed broadcast station, or if the winning bidder, and/or any individual or entity with an attributable interest in the winning bidder, has attributable interests in more than three mass media facilities;

Attributable interests held by a winning bidder in existing low power television, television translator or FM translator facilities will not be counted among the winning bidder's "other mass media interests" in determining eligibility for a bidding credit. Bidders intending to divest a media interest or make any other ownership changes, such as resignation of positional interests, in order to avoid attribution for purposes of qualifying for the New Entrant Bidding Credit must have consummated such divestment transactions or have completed such ownership changes by no later than the short-form application filing deadline, August 4, 2000.

Incumbents

Upon submission of its long-form application (FCC Form 301-CA or FCC Form 346, as appropriate), a winning bidder for the Auction No. 81 construction permits will have to provide interference protection to qualified Class A television stations. With secondary frequency use status, LPTV and television translator stations may not cause interference to, and must accept interference from, full service television stations, certain land mobile radio operations, and other primary services. See, e.g., 47 C.F.R. §§ 74.703 , 74.709 and 90.303 .

Potential bidders for Auction No. 81 construction permits are also reminded that full service television stations are in the process of converting from analog to digital operation and that such stations may have pending applications to construct and operate digital television facilities, construction permits and/or licenses for such digital facilities. Bidders should investigate the impact such applications, permits and licenses may have on their ability to operate the facilities proposed in this auction.

For more information, refer to Due Diligence in the Auction No. 81 Procedures Public Notice, DA 05-1337, released May 20, 2005.

Licensing Rules

47 C.F.R. Parts 73 and 74

Releases P

10/28/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 05-2847)
Media Bureau and WTB Announce Extension of Auction No. 81 Deadlines for Applications and Down Payments
This Public Notice extends both the down payment and application deadline for Auction No. 81 winning bidders from October 31, 2005, until November 30, 2005.

9/30/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 05-2543)
Auction of Low Power Television Construction Permits Closes, Winning Bidders Announced for Auction No. 81
The WTB announces the close of the Low Power Television Construction Permit Auction No. 81.

9/2/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 05-2359)
Auction of Low Power Television Construction Permits; 44 Bidders Qualified to Participate in Auction No. 81
This public notice identifies 44 applicants found qualified to bid in Auction No. 81, scheduled to begin on September 14, 2005.

8/1/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 05-2229)
Auction of Low Power Television Construction Permits; Status of FCC Form 175 Applications to Participate in Auction No. 81
The Media Bureau and the WTB jointly announce applications accepted for filing for the upcoming LPTV Auction No. 81 scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 14, 2005.

6/9/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 05-1624)
Auction of Low-Power Television Construction Permits Scheduled for September 14, 2005 (Auction No. 81); Reminder: Pre-Auction Seminar June 24, 2005
The FCC will hold a pre-auction seminar for the Low Power Television Auction on Friday, June 24, 2005.

5/20/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA-05-1337)
Low Power Television Auction No. 81 Scheduled for September 14, 2005; Notice and Filing Requirements, Minimum Opening Bids, Upfront Payments and Other Procedures for Auction No. 81
The Media and WTB announce procedures and minimum opening bid amounts for Auction No. 81 scheduled to begin September 14, 2005. A remedial filing window starts June 24 and ends 6:00 pm July 8, 2005.

4/13/2005
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 05-1048)
Low Power Television Auction No. 81 Scheduled for September 14, 2005; Auction Inventory Revised, Applicants Proposing "Non-Commercial Educational Broadcast Station" Must Respond by May 13, 2005
WTB and Media Bureau revised its list of construction permits for certain low power television (LPTV), television translator and Class A television broadcast stations available for auction in Auction No 81.

2/28/2005
Public Notice (DA 05-506)
Low Power Television Auction No. 81 Scheduled for September 14, 2005; Auction No. 81 Applicants Must Provide Supplemental Information by March 18, 2005; Comment Sought on Reserve Prices or Minimum Opening Bids & Other Auction Procedures
This public notice announces the auction of construction permits for certain LPTV, television translator and Class A Television broadcast stations (Auction No. 81) to commence on September 14, 2005.

Comments Filed:
Avelino Moreia MX246: pdf
Carbon County MX229: pdf
Charles C. Townsend, III: pdf
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota: pdf
Core Group International, Inc.: pdf
Darold Smith MX241: pdf
David Bates MX239: pdf
Federated Rural Electric Association: pdf
Harold Tegtmeier MX237: pdf
Idaho State Board of Education: pdf
Iron County MX210: pdf
Iron County MX232: pdf
Jesuchristo Es Mi Refugio, Inc: pdf
Josepht Liska MX220: pdf
Julie St. Clair MX059: pdf
Mark Silberman MX169: pdf
Mark Silberman MX180: pdf
Mark Silberman MX241: pdf
Mark Silberman MX242: pdf
Meyer Feldman MX237: pdf
National Translator Association: pdf
National Translator Association MX038, MX238, MX054: pdf
Prism Broadcasting MX066: pdf
Prism Broadcasting MX073: pdf
Regional Translators Association MX060: pdf
Robert Naismith MX221: pdf
Robert Raynolds MX046: pdf
San Juan County MX234, MX235: pdf
Summit County MX229: pdf
SW Colorado Translator MX234, MX235: pdf
Troy Tumm MX246: pdf
West Central Minnesota Educational Television Company: pdf
William Germano MX239: pdf
Mintz Letter 032305: pdf
Julie Mintz MX024: pdf
Julie Mintz MX139: pdf
Laurie Mintz MX018: pdf
Amanda Orrick MX200: pdf
Dan Peek MX048 MX227 MX209: pdf

2/28/2005
Public Notice (DA 05-505)
Applicants for Low Power Television Construction Permits to be Awarded in Auction No. 81 Must Submit Supplemental Information by March 18, 2005
This public notice announces that applicants for LPTV construction permits to be awarded in Auction No. 81 must submit their FRNs by March 18, 2005.

12/5/2003
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 03-3881)
Final Settlement Window Announced; Window to Close March 5, 2004
The Media Bureau and WTB announce a settlement window for parties with proposals in the mutually exclusive groups in Auction No. 81 to enter into settlement agreements or otherwise resolve their mutual exclusivities by means of engineering solutions.

11/20/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-2716)
Auction No. 81 Additional Settlement Period Announced; Period to Close January 22, 2002
This Public Notice announces due to the Bureau receiving a number of requests seeking further settlement opportunities, the August 23rd deadline has been extended to January 22, 2002.

7/2/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-1561)
Auction No. 81 Settlement Period Extended to August 23, 2001
This Public Notice extends the Settlement period from July 24, 2001 to August 23, 2001.

5/25/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-1288)
Low Power Television Auction No. 81 - Non-Mutually Exclusive Proposals
This Public Notice provides as Attachment A a list of all proposals received during the filing widow, as partially extended, that are not mutually exclusive with any other proposal submitted in the filing window.

5/25/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-1289)
Low Power Television Auction No. 81 - Mutually Exclusive Proposals Subject to Auction
This Public Notice provides as Attachment A, a list of all proposals received during the filing window, as extended, that are mutually exclusive with other proposals submitted in the filing window.

2/13/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-383)
Low Power Television Auction No. 81 - Non-Mutually Exclusive Proposals; Mass Media Bureau Announces March 15, 2001, FCC Form 346 Application Deadline
This Public Notice provides as Attachment A a list of all proposals received during the filing window that are not mutually exclusive with any other proposal submitted in the filing window.
Attachment A: xls

7/25/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-1648)
Limited Low Power Television/Television Translator/Class A Television Auction Filing Window Partially Extended to August 31, 2000; Deadline for FCC Form 175 Submissions Remains August 4, 2000
This Public Notice partially extends the LPTV auction filing window.

6/23/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-1383)
Notice and Filing Requirements Regarding July 31 through August 4, 2000 Limited Low Power Television/Television Translator/Class A Television Auction Filing Window
The Mass Media Bureau (MMB) and the WTB (WTB) announce the scheduling of an auction filing window for certain low power television, television translator, and Class A television broadcast stations. Commencing July 31, 2000, and continuing to and including August 4, 2000.
See Public Notice DA 00-1648 for partial Extension of filing window

Releases L

2/12/2008
LETTER (DA 08-322)
Cyril H. Miller Re: Notice Of Interim Default Payment Obligation for Auction 81

9/13/2005
LETTER (DA 05-2445)
Letter to Colby M. May on Behalf of TCCSA, Inc., d/b/a Trinity Broadcasting Network
This letter informs TCCSA, Inc., that based on its short-form application to participate in Auction No. 81, it appears to be in violation of the anti-collusion rule.

7/8/2005
LETTER (DA 05-1919)
Denies the Petition for Reconsideration and Reinstatement Filed by Sainte Partners II, LP
Denies the Petition for Reconsideration and Reinstatement filed by Sainte Partners II, LP.

7/8/2005
LETTER (DA 05-1918)
Denies Glorious Communications Channel Broadcasting, LLC's Request for Waiver of the FRN Submission Deadline for Auction No. 81
Denies Glorious Communications Channel Broadcasting, LLC's request for waiver of the FRN submission deadline for Auction No. 81

4/21/2001
LETTERS
10 letters were released reinstating the engineering of the following applications
Hispanic Media Group, LLC.; Tiger Eye Licensing, LLC; Telecom Wireless, LLC; Shiloah D. Warren; R & D Media Group, Inc.; Pete E. M. Warren; International Executive Consultant; G & M media Partners, LLC; Community TV Development Corporation; and Brad Simon.
Letter: Engineering of Hispanic Media Group LLC application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of Brad Simon application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of Community TV Development Corporation application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of G & M Media Partners, LLC application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of International Executive Consultant application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of Pete E.M. Warren application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of R & D Media Group, Inc. application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of Shiloah D. Warren application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of Telecom Wireless, LLC. application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word
Letter: Engineering of Tiger Eye Licensing, LLC. application(s) were reinstated: pdf - text - Word

2/5/2001
LETTER
R & D Media Group, Inc
Title: Returning the late filed engineering proposals for the LPTV auction.
pdf

2/5/2001
LETTER
Tiger Eye Licensing, LLC
Title: Returning the late filed engineering proposals for the LPTV auction
pdf

2/5/2001
LETTER
Telecom Wireless, LLC
Title: Returning the late filed engineering proposals for the LPTV auction
pdf

2/5/2001
LETTER
Pete E.M. Warren III
Title: Returning the late filed engineering proposals for the LPTV auction
pdf

2/5/2001
LETTER
G & M Media Partners, LLC
Title: Returning the late filed engineering proposals for the LPTV auction
pdf

Releases O

11/13/2006
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (DA 06-2291)
LPTV and TV Translator Applications Non-Mutually Exclusive Proposals

9/20/2005
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (DA 05-2479)
Regarding Sainte Partners II, LP - Low Power Television Auction No. 81
The Commission considers an application for review filed by a petitioner requesting reversal of a reconsideration order and a request that the Commission stay the beginning of competitive bidding in the Low Power Television Auction No. 81.

Results (updated after each round)

No results here for this auction.

Auction Seminar

This seminar was held on June 24, 2005. You may view the presentations below.

Presentations

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Kathryn Garland, Deputy Division Chief, Auctions & Spectrum Access Division (ASAD)
pdf - PowerPoint

Pre-Auction Process
Linda Sanderson, Auctions Marketing Specialist, ASAD
pdf - PowerPoint

Overview of LPTV Service Rules and Due Diligence
Shaun Maher, Attorney, Video Division

Legal, Technical, Auction Rules and Payment Procedures

Electronic Review and Updating of Form 175 and Overview of Auction Rules

Lisa Stover, Auctions Marketing Specialist, ASAD

Lynne Milne, Attorney, ASAD
pdf - PowerPoint

Wire Transfer & Payment Process

Gail Glasser, Financial Management Specialist, Auctions Accounting Group

pdf - PowerPoint

Auction Bidding Procedures

Overview of Auction Process & FCC Automated Auction System

Jeffrey Crooks, Wireless Telecommunications Analyst, ASAD

pdf - PowerPoint

Post-Auction Process

Payment and Filing Requirements

Lisa Stover, Auctions Marketing Specialist, ASAD

pdf - PowerPoint

Hossein Hashemzadeh, Associate Chief, Video Division

pdf - PowerPoint