Rhode Island PBS Selling Spectrum, Switching Signals For $94.4 Million

WSBE, Rhode Island’s PBS television station is auctioning part of its spectrum in exchange for $94.4 million.

President of WSBE, David Piccerelli, made the announcement Thursday.

The auction is part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadcast Incentive Program. The FCC has asked television stations to give up their spectrums to make room for services that rely on the broadband- like health and public safety. In exchange for their spectrum, stations get part of the auction money from relicensing.

In a time when the future of PBS funding is unclear, Piccerrelli says the money will go to infrastructure improvements, technological upgrades, and the cost of changing signals.

Read more: http://ripr.org/post/rhode-island-pbs-selling-spectrum-switching-signals-944-million