The FCC needs to provide incentives “to attract...

The FCC needs to provide incentives “to attract and maintain the commitments of broadcasters” considering participating in the incentive auction, said Class A broadcaster Watch TV in an ex parte filing this week (http://bit.ly/1mxNFvj). “Without more timely incentives, some of these broadcasters will change their minds and pursue other business options,” said the filing. Those incentives should include allowing stations planning to sell their spectrum to “go dark” to save operating expenses, and less intensive enforcement of the rules governing Class A stations. Uncertainty about the auction and whether to spend money on capital improvements is pushing broadcasters away from the auction, Watch TV said. As Watch TV invests in its stations, it has less incentive to participate in the auction, and more reasons to set its price higher if it does participate, said the filing. The commissioners should press the Incentive Auction Task Force for more detailed plans for the auction at the FCC’s Jan. 30 open meeting, said Watch TV.