Sussex Countian

The city of Wilmington’s Video and Telecommunications Commission has voted unanimously to authorize the city to file a challenge of the operating license for WHYY, Channel 12 before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

WHYYs request for a license renewal to broadcast over Channel 12 in Wilmington has been pending before the FCC in Washington, D.C. since 2007.

The city’s challenge questions WHYY’s commitment to serving the community needs of Wilmington, which is the city of license for WHYY, city officials said Friday, Dec. 11. Management at WHYY recently eliminated the stations nightly half-hour newscast for Wilmington and all of Delaware and announced that it is actively trying to sell its broadcast facility on Orange Street.

WHYY management had notified the city prior to taking these actions that it was experiencing budget problems and would have to alter its Wilmington operations. More…