FCC Fines College Station LPTV $3,500

The FCC has fine Castelli Media, LLC, licensee of LPTV station K35PH-D College Station, $3,500 for violation of section 73.3598(a) of the FCC’s rules by “failing to timely file a license to cover application.” The commission said the station also “willfully and repeatedly violated section 73.1745(a)” and section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934 “by engaging in unauthorized operation.”

The FCC’s Media Bureau issued a $3,500 NAL after it found that Castelli Media “failed to file a license to cover by the expiration date of the Station’s original construction permit (CP).”  

The commission said the station’s CP was later automatically forfeited, the station’s call sign deleted, and all authority to construct the station terminated. 

Castelli Media subsequently sought reconsideration of the cancellation, reinstatement of the station’s expired CP, and permission to file an application for license to cover, which the FCC granted.

The company was offered an opportunity to either pay the forfeiture or submit a written response seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture. 

The FCC said Castelli Media did neither and the FCC issued a formal forfeiture order on April 23.

The station has 30 days to pay the $3,500 fine.