FCC Approves WJAR's Move to Channel 50

We first told you that Sinclair Broadcast Group was set to make its mark on WJAR-TV NBC 10 in Providence, RI earlier this month.

In addition to the new graphics, website & move of master control back to WJAR's Cranston studios next month, WJAR plans to launch in all HD by the end of the summer, and a new set by the end of the year.

One of the changes that the station expect to happen by the end of the summer is their move from digital channel 51 to channel 50.

WJAR cleared the first step in the channel change on Friday when the Federal Communications Commission approved the move to channel 50, citing public interest.

"The Licensee asserts that adopting the proposed channel substitution would serve the public interest because it would remove any potential interference with a wireless licensee in the Lower 700 MHz A Block located directly adjacent to channel 51 in the Providence, Rhode Island-New Bedford, Massachusetts and Boston, Massachusetts television markets."

The FCC concluded that good cause exists to make the channel change effective immediately in the Federal Registrar. The effective date will be "expedited in light of the upcoming pre-auction licensing deadline by which stations must license newly constructed facilities in
order for the facilities to be eligible for protection in the broadcast incentive auction repacking process."

WJAR has to submit a change application for a construction permit for the move to channel 50 to the FCC this week.

WRIW-CD Telemundo Providence had been operating on channel 50, and was predicted to be affected by the proposed allotment of the channel 50 wireless spectrum to Providence. WRIW had entered into an agreement with T-Mobile to change to channel 36, and a construction permit to migrate WRIW from channel 50 to channel 36 was granted on May 20. WRIW-CD is currently operating on channel 36 pursuant to Special Temporary Authority.

Once WJAR completes the move to channel 50, over the air viewers will have to re-scan their digital televisions and devices to pick up the new channel assignment. WJAR will alert viewers well in advance of the change to channel 50.

You can read the full ruling from the FCC here.

 

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