FCC Returns $881 Million Unused TV Relocation Funds

The Federal Communications Commission announced the return of $881 million in unused money from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund, known as the “Repack.” The agency said the refund marks a significant milestone in concluding the first‑ever spectrum incentive auction, which repurposed 84 MHz of low‑band broadcast spectrum for commercial and unlicensed wireless use and generated $19.3 billion in net winning bids. Under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and the Reimbursement Expansion Act of 2018, Congress had allocated $2.75 billion to reimburse broadcasters for costs incurred during involuntary channel reassignments. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said, “As we come to the end of the Fiscal Year, we found the time was ripe to ‘clean house’ and ensure money does not sit languishing at the agency level when it can be given back to the U.S. Treasury for the financial benefits of the Nation.” The fund had supported thousands of broadcasters through licensing, construction and equipment removal, and its return reflects the FCC’s stated commitment to fiscal responsibility and reducing the national deficit.