Small Cable Ops Asks FCC for Retrans ‘Quiet Period’

The American Cable Association filed a formal request with the Federal Communications Commission for a retransmission-consent "quiet period" around the Feb. 17, 2009 digital television transition date. In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, ACA expressed support for a petition filed by ACA members Mediacom Communications and GCI Cable in April asking the FCC to call the retrans time out, saying that it was concerned that there could be confusion if stalled retrans negotiations led to stations withdrawing in the months before or after the transition. The ACA said thousands of retrans agreements expire in December 2008, adding that a quiet period starting at the beginning of 2009 and extending to May 31 is "reasonable and appropriate." FCC rules already prevent broadcast signals from being moved or dropped during sweeps periods, the ACA pointed out.
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