FCC Grants SC TV Stations Extension to File Franklin, Hart Orphan County Decision

Greenville and Asheville, NC TV stations have been granted extra time to appeal the switch to Atlanta TV stations by satellite TV customers in Franklin and Hart counties.

After submitting petitions to the Federal Communications Commission, the FCC recently ruled that satellite TV customers in both counties could receive TV stations in Georgia rather than from the Carolinas.

According to the letter received by Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas, the stations have until November 12 to submit their appeal for both counties.

“I received a letter in the mail this morning from the FCC stating they had granted the appealing firm’s request for an extension,” she said.  I was highly disappointed to see that come through. When the orphan counties originally looked at filing a petition, all the documentation pointed to us needing to file individually.  The fact that the firm is allowed to group us together both Franklin and Hart County, is unfair to both counties. This prevents Hart County to see on which basis the appeal will be filed. While it’s a small portion of time it is extended, in essence the satellite companies will cease any progress they’ve made on switching us over.”

Thomas said once the application for review, which is the appeal document, comes through, Franklin and Hart counties will only have 15 days to respond to that document.

She said that process will require a lot of research to be done in a very short amount of time in order to address the points that they put in the appeal.

Thomas said she has a copy of the La Plata County Colorado appeal and is using that to already begin working on Franklin County’s reply.

“Unfortunately, there is not a time line for the FCC to give a ruling on this issue. While our original petition had a date by which they could respond by, an appeal for review goes directly to the FCC board. That board then reviews the case on its merits,” Thomas explained.

Thomas said the appeal will not be open for public comment.  The county manager then said she believed the FCC’s initial ruling was the correct one.

“I believe the FCC, if you look at the order they gave for both Hart and Franklin County, I believe they did exactly what they were supposed to do. They looked at all five statutory requirements. They measured them either in favor or, not in favor of, or neutral. So, they addressed all five. In the La Plata, Colorado appeal, that’s what the appealing stations honed in on. They stated the FCC did not look at all five statutory requirements,” said Thomas.

Appeals are also expected from the Carolina stations once a ruling is made on both Stephens and Elbert counties petitions.