Sprint Nextel, Tribune Broadcasting and Hearst-Argyle- Owned Television Stations Agree on Framework for Spectrum Relocation

Sprint Nextel, Tribune Broadcasting and Hearst-Argyle- Owned Television Stations Agree on Framework for Spectrum Relocation

Today Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), Tribune Broadcasting and Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (NYSE: HTV) announced completion of Frequency Relocation Agreements (FRA) for one each of the broadcasters’ group-owned stations as part of the 2 GHz Relocation project. Under terms of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 800 MHz Order, 2 GHz Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) licensees, which include the Tribune and Hearst-Argyle-owned stations, must relocate to new spectrum assignments by September 2007.

Sprint Nextel is responsible for reimbursing BAS licensees for the cost of relocating to comparable facilities within the 2 GHz spectrum band. BAS licensees use this spectrum to transmit local news from remote locations back to the studio. One agreement covers Tribune-owned WGN in Chicago and the other covers Hearst-Argyle-owned WESH in Orlando.

The FCC has licensed Sprint Nextel to use a portion of the 2 GHz band for commercial mobile radio services upon relocation of the BAS licensees. The agreements announced today will allow the companies to move ahead with the relocation process and assist the broadcasters in their transition to digital broadcast news services. Commenting on the agreement, Ira Goldstone, Chief Technology Officer for Tribune Broadcasting said, “We’re pleased to move forward with the FCC-mandated 2 GHz relocation, enabling our Tribune-owned station to continue their critical local news gathering and reporting operations. Our agreement serves the interests of both Sprint Nextel and Tribune.”

“WESH-TV, our NBC station in Orlando, is moving forward in ordering equipment directly related to the mandated BAS relocation,” said Martin Faubell, Hearst-Argyle Vice President, Engineering. “It is our expectation, when plans are complete, for other Hearst-Argyle markets to follow shortly.”

Read the complete Press Release