FCC Denies Fox Affiliate Waiver for Digital Signal-Strength Test

The Federal Communications Commission has denied a request from Flint (MI) Fox affiliate WSMH-DT Flint for another waiver of the FCC's digital signal-strength test. As of Oct. 31, satellite companies could test that strength, and deliver an out-of-market Fox affiliate to viewers in WSMH's market who do not get a sufficiently strong signal from that station. WSMH has already received a waiver based on the fact that it had cross-border coordination issues with Canada, and then asked for an extension. But while that extension was pending, Canada gave its approval. Now, WSMH says it needs to move to a new tower and clear that with Canada as well.