WADL-TV Owner Considering Selling Spectrum To Cell Phone Companies

By Edward Cardenas

CLINTON TOWNSHIP (CBS Detroit) - The owner of a Clinton Township-based television station is considering selling its spectrum to cellular companies.

Kevin Adell, who has built and run the station for more than two decades, is considering selling the spectrum - or airwaves - for WADL-TV in an upcoming auction by the FCC.

The opportunity for WADL, and other stations across the country to sell their airwaves, comes as at a time that cellular use is growing and over the air broadcast is "not growing," he said.

"I would rather be at the forefront seeking an opportunity than missing an opportunity down the road," said Adell. "I am going to sell at the top of the bell curve instead of the bottom. Most people when they are in business sell when there is nothing to sell."

He stated that suitors including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile who may take part in the auction for the television spectrum. According to the FCC, the sale price for the spectrum for WADL-TV could reach $170 million at auction.

If the sale occurs, the spectrum would switch from broadcast uses to mobile broadband uses.

Adell, who also owns the Southfield-based Word Network, plans on re-purposing the WADL studios and employees. Station personnel and facilities would be used for the "largest African-American religious network in the world."

"The infrastructure is already there," said Adell, who would look to expand the studio and build a bigger call center and fulfillment center for the Word at the WADL studios. "There is no debt at (W)ADL, there is no debt for the word ... I'm leaving  on my own choice."