FCC: Benton Harbor owned radio station cant be sold on eBay
Posted: Feb 14, 2012 11:03 PM EDT | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 6:33 PM EDT
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – According to the Federal Communications Commission, The Benton Harbor community radio station license that was on eBay last week cannot be sold in that manner.
In an email sent to ABC 57 News, an FCC spokeswoman provided this information:
“The Commission approves the assignment or transfer of all broadcast stations. A low power station can only be assigned or transferred to a local not-for-profit entity.”
Last week, WBHC’s equipment and license were posed on eBay at a $5000 minimum bid by Benton Harbor’s Emergency Manager Joseph Harris. Harris confirmed to ABC 57 his intentions to use the website as an avenue to sell the station.
Harris closed WBHC in January as a cost-cutting move for the city.
City commissioners would host regular talk programs on the station until it closed.
Potential Buyer has emerged
A Boulder, Colorado based non-profit called Public Radio Capital told ABC 57 Tuesday that they’ve raised $5000 but are looking for a local non-profit to take control.
Erik Langner with Public Radio Capital said the group’s sole purpose is to preserve public and community radio stations. They’ve raised money for several similar situations across the country.
Langner said the group has no political motivation in helping a non-profit purchase the station. “There’s no political motivation whatsoever. Our soul mission is to preserve locally owned and operated public community media assets across the country,” he said.
An eBay listing for the equipment and license are no longer posted on the website.