Scott Flick Speaks at 2013 Radio Show

According to Scott Flick, a communications partner in Pillsbury’s Washington, D.C. office, the existence of a sunset date is probably why the Federal Communications Commission has avoided addressing concerns of radio broadcasters about whether these stations, also known as “Franken FMs,” are permissible. Some radio stations, especially those at the lower end of the FM dial, complain that the LPTV radio stations cause interference.

“It’s a problem that that’s ultimately going to solve itself,” said Flick during a panel discussion at the 2013 Radio Show conference in Orlando, Florida.

He noted that some LPTV operators might seek a waiver to extend that deadline, but they “would need to meet a high hurdle” to get that waiver.