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Companies scramble to collect unclaimed TV licenses at FCC by Jan. 30
Bud Paxson is leading a stampede to sweep up new TV licenses at the FCC. With the deadline for striking deals coming up Friday (Jan. 30), the Paxson Communications chief and other broadcasters are scrambling to collect leftover licenses that long have been sitting idle at the commission.
"It's the great gold rush of the late '90s," Paxson says of the quest for the TV licenses. Last week he added that his company had struck deals to procure five of the permits.
Paxson and others say the unclaimed construction permits offer them an opportunity to expand the reach of their new networks. United Television Inc., owned by UPN backer Chris Craft, has applications pending for 12 stations. And lawyers say the other new networks also are eyeing the licenses as potential new affiliates.
"We're a network that needs distribution," says The WB's Brad Turell, who adds that the network's affiliates as well as the Acme station groupowned by supporters of the networkare interested in the CPs: "If there's a possibility of getting construction permits, we're there."
"These construction permits aren't worth much without a concept that will attract viewers," says Julius Genachowski,...