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FCC Greenlights Some-But Not All-DTV Broadcasts

Stations must ensure public access channels are available

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.Com

February 15, 2009

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is granting some stations the opportunity to begin broadcasting over-the-air content in digital — but not others, and those that do must meet the agency's terms to get the green light.

Nearly 500 television stations petitioned the FCC to let them go ahead with the switch on February 17. Some claimed they had the technical capabilities in place to make the switch, while others claimed it would be too costly for them to keep transmitting both analog and digital broadcasts for another four months.

The FCC published a notice on February 11 certifying that 368 television stations had the go-ahead to switch to digital broadcasts on February 17, providing they continued to operate a pared-down "nightlight" analog broadcast for two weeks after the switch, and increase educational and awareness efforts in their markets to educate watchers on the switch.

Another 106 stations' request to switch was denied, on grounds that "early termination poses a significant risk of substantial public harm." In order to receive permission for the switch, the stations had to comply with a number of conditions, including:

• Providing the low-level "nightlight" service for 60 days after the switch to ensure viewers can access public affairs and news information safely;

• Increasing educational efforts on how to make the switch from analog to digital signals, including how to set up converter boxes;

• Providing toll-free telephone numbers and local "walk-in" centers to help educate viewers on the switch and what they need to do;

• Ensuring that DTV transition information is broadcast in both English and Spanish and accessible to the disabled.

Of the remaining stations, 53 were able to certify that they would meet the conditions set by the FCC in time for the February 17 date, and were granted permission to switch.

According to FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, many large markets, such as Los Angeles, California, contain high concentrations of television watchers who rely on over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts, and will most likely postpone the transition until June 12 in order to step up community outreach and educational efforts.

The digital television transition has been plagued by glitches from the beginning, primarily the government's coupon program to subsidize the purchase of set-top converter boxes to receive digital signals.

The coupon program has currently run out of money, and is awaiting new funding through the passage of the economic stimulus package, which President Obama is expected to sign into law this week.

There is currently a backlog of 2 million subscribers waiting to receive coupons. As the economy worsens and more people cut cable or satellite television in favor of free OTA television, that number continues to grow.

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