FCC Prepares for DTV Complaints

(6/25) The Federal Communications Commission is planning for rising complaints related to the digital television transition, including possible lawsuits against the Commission, as well as for further media consolidation related to the costs of the switch-over to digital delivery. The FCC isn't saying that all those things are a given -- just that it needs to be prepared if and when they happen. That's according to a congressionally mandated strategic five-year plan the commission put out for comment in late June. Public comments are due July 24. The FCC said that among the factors that could impact its strategic goal of "the timely deployment of digital services" is further consolidation spurred by "ongoing changes in the methods of delivering news and entertainment" from the transition to digital delivery. The FCC pointed to increased upfront investments that won't see a return until the full rollout of digital. And on the legal front, the commission pointed out that its latest media-ownership rules have been challenged in court. Given that Congress mandated "continued review" of those rules, there could be more challenges.
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