The Comparative Renewal Process in Television: Problems and Suggested Solutions.
ResearchPublished 1974
ResearchPublished 1974
An in-depth analysis of some important issues involving the process wherein an existing TV licensee seeks renewal and a new applicant files a competing application for the same channel. This study focuses on the criteria employed by the FCC in this comparative situation: Are the criteria the same as in a comparative hearing between new applicants? If so, does the broadcasting industry lack reasonable stability so that the public interest suffers? How can the industry strike a balance between competitive stimulus in the public interest and reasonable stability? What kind of record is required to ensure renewal in the face of a comparative challenge? How is the existing station's performance to be evaluated by the government licensing agency--qualitatively or quantitatively, and in all or some programming categories? The author discusses these issues within the context of the legislative history of the statutory provision pertaining to renewal and the FCC's past treatment of comparative renewal. 93 pp.
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