How does a television broadcasting station get started?
The FCC controls the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in the US. They auction off use of frequencies to people or entities that want to use them for commercial purposes. There is a limited number of frequencies available in the broadcast spectrum reserved for TV. You have 12 channels (2-13) on VHF and 69 (14-82) on UHF. VHF has greater range than UHF and is, thus, more desirable. You apply to the FCC for a TV broadcast license. If there is space in the spectrum available to you, you pay a fee for use of the frequency for a set period of time. You need a lot of capital to start a station. You need to buy equipment, transmitters, a broadcast tower (a VERY expensive matter by itself and damned hard to get in a good location), etc.
