Local station offers AMP a free city channel, says 5G app will let it reach phones

Mister Crenshaw, a local station owner, told the AMP Commission he can increase his station’s coverage under an FCC construction authorization and is developing an app that would allow the station to deliver programming to mobile phones beyond its current 50-mile broadcast radius. "What we're going to do is basically ... start broadcasting our stuff to cell phones," he said, and offered the city a single channel for promotional use.

The station operator said the Federal Communications Commission is focusing on low-power television as a vehicle for local information and that new technical options would let the channel reach viewers on cell phones. He proposed that the city sponsor the channel while the station would handle production and operations. The proposal included opportunities to generate revenue through sponsorships and to partner with the Economic Development Corporation, Main Street and the city’s public-relations office to promote downtown events.

During questions, commissioners asked about legal review, whether the channel offer required a formal contract and how the city would help promote an accompanying app. The presenter said an app under development would permit users to receive programming wherever their phone travels and that no formal decision was required at the meeting.

The presenter also proposed programming tied to housing renovation, saying federal grant programs — which he described as providing roughly a 50% match on some rehabilitation projects — could make revitalization shows financially feasible. Commissioners asked for time to review the proposal and any legal documents; Tyler and staff indicated they would circulate the written proposal to the commission for later consideration.

The commission did not take action on the offer at the meeting; members asked staff to review the materials and report back at a future meeting.