New York - Dec 27, 2001 - When the World Trade Center collapsed, four FM stations and nine TV stations lost their transmitter facilities. As part of the $8.2 billion emergency aid package that Congress approved for New York City, an $8.2 million appropriation has been set aside to rebuild the lost transmitter facility. While a new, freestanding tower-is estimated to cost between $30 million to $40 million, the NY Times reported that the money was sought by local TV stations that predicted substantial advertising revenue losses as the result of their weaker, temporary signals. It is estimated that most local TV stations lost 10% to 35% of their audiences after September 11 when they were forced to relocate to alternate sites. The FM stations, WPAT-FM, WNYC-FM, WKTU-FM and WKCR-FM, have all relocated to semi-permanent sites.

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) lobbied for the broadcaster funds.

It is not known at this time if the estimated cost to provide full-power facilities will be spent on improving the Empire State Building (ESB) site or building a new tower site. It is also possible that both options may receive attention. The ESB would require substantial structural work to accommodate the required transmission equipment.