Stephens County to decide next step following FCC’s approval

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners will be deciding the next steps to take in countering an appeal to overturn recent approval by the FCC.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved Stephens County’s request to lift its Orphan County Status earlier this month; however, in January, the county received notice that the Carolinas stations had filed an appeal against Stephens County’s application.

County Administrator Phyllis Ayers says the board of commissioners will decide what to do during the upcoming regular scheduled meeting.

Stephens, Franklin, Hart and Elbert counties are all considered orphan counties because their citizens with satellite service are not receiving Georgia local news, weather, or sports from their home state TV stations.

Along with Stephens County, both Franklin and Hart counties have received approval from the FCC.

In their decision, the FCC said Stephens County’s requested market modification was a close call, but that is concluded that in such close-call cases, “the outcome that best serves the intent of Congress…is to provide the petitioning orphan county with the access to the in-state programming it is requesting.”

However, Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville Stations continue to delay the switch by submitting appeals.

At this time, it is uncertain when or if Stephens County residents will gain access to the Atlanta stations.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you additional details as they become available.