As part of a broadband expansion campaign that the federal government launched in 2009, the FCC’s National Broadband Plan taskforce is considering reallocating as much as 500 MHz of radio-frequency spectrum for wireless mobile broadband use—roughly 15 times the amount of spectrum that the FCC reallocated in 2008 from channels formerly allocated to analog television broadcasting. The broadband task force is proposing to obtain 120 MHz from TV broadcasters through various voluntary trade-in mechanisms. Auction of the spectrum that was reallocated in 2008 brought in nearly $20 billion, and dedication of a portion of the proceeds of a more extensive frequency auction could endow a significant trust fund for public broadcasting. On the other hand, public television stations may choose to keep the frequencies they are currently allocated, for future development of over-the-air public services, including mobile DTV innovations. CPB has joined with PBS, APTS, and NPR in giving the taskforce and the FCC commissioners advice and comments on their studies and plans for broadband expansion.
Our Non-Licensee Partner(s)
APTS (Association of Public Television Stations), Washington, D.C.—APTS is a private, not-for-profit, service and advocacy organization established to support the growth and development of strong and financially sound noncommercial television service among its member stations. An affiliated organization, APTS Action, Inc., provides legislative advocacy and seeks grassroots and congressional support.
NPR (National Public Radio), Washington, D.C.—NPR is an internationally acclaimed producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming. A privately supported, not-for-profit membership organization, NPR produces and distributes programming that reaches more than 26 million listeners weekly. More than 900 stations nationwide broadcast NPR programming; each serves its listeners with a distinctive combination of national and local programming. With original online content and audio streaming, NPR.org offers hourly newscasts, special features, and ten years of archived audio and information. A private, nonprofit corporation owned and operated by its member stations, NPR is funded chiefly by its member stations and a separate fundraising foundation. NPR operates the program distribution/interconnection facilities of the Public Radio Satellite System, produces and distributes more than 120 hours of its own original programming each week, and also distributes to its more than 780 member stations programs that are produced by broadcast stations, independent producers, and other radio networks. NPR maintains studios in Washington, D.C., and in Los Angeles.
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), Arlington, Virginia—PBS is the leading distributor of video programming for U.S. public television stations. It operates the public television program distribution/interconnection system and distributes a variety of programs, from both its own and others’ program services, to its 348 member public television stations across the country, which draw nearly 83 million viewers weekly. PBS.org is one of the most visited noncommercial Web sites in the world and the home of companion Web sites for more than 1,000 PBS television programs and specials, as well as original content and real-time learning adventures. In addition to its funding from CPB, PBS is funded by its member stations, a separate fundraising foundation, and various for-profit subsidiaries. PBS and Sesame Workshop are partners with Comcast Corporation and HIT Entertainment, PLC, in PBS KIDS Sprout, a for-profit cable and satellite television channel for preschool children, and PBS KIDS Sprout On Demand, a video-on-demand service offering more than 50 hours of programming daily for the same preschool audience, which is distributed on Comcast systems nationwide.