Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1999

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Herbert H. Howard

Abstract

This study was designed to shed light on the little known low power television industry in Tennessee. A total of 56 LPTV stations were identified in Tennessee and border areas, using FCC sources and trade directories. A telephone survey was composed and interviews were completed with the owners and/or managers of 42 stations for a response rate of 75 percent.The study documents how the FCC's allotment of new digital television frequencies is displacing Tennessee LPTVs. The survey shows 47 percent of the state's LPTV stations will be forced to relocate to other channels. A majority of owners estimate.the cost of displacement will range from $25,000 to $100,000. A strong majority of owners, 81 percent, favor "Class A" status as proposed by the Community Broadcasters Association.Among other major findings, about half the station owners were headquartered in the same market, an important benchmark to watch in future studies. Thirty-eight percent ofTennessee stations provided some kind of local programming, a surprisingly low number when compared to previous national studies. Local programming was a prominent characteristic of stations that achieved cable carriage, which can substantially increase astation's viewer base. But only 39 percent of stations were carried on cable,,perhaps as a consequence of the low level of local programming. In national studies, the LPTV carriage rate has been reported as high as 63 percent. LPTVs in Tennessee that produced a local newscast enjoyed a high cable carriage rate of 85 percent.The financial health of the state's LTPV industry appears uncertain. Seventy-five percent of the stations reported annual revenues were less than $50,000 last year. Of the 37stations that identified themselves as commercial, 32 percent reported making a profit last quarter. Thirty-five percent reported they had not earned a profit. The rest did not give an answer. About a third of the stations reported revenues were up last year. A slightly smaller percentage said revenues were either flat or decreasing. Again, the rest did not answer. A Total of 190 people either work full, part-time, or volunteer in the total number of stations surveyed.

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