Broadcasters get leeway on digital TV switch

BROADCASTERS GET LEEWAY ON DIGITAL TV SWITCH
[SOURCE: Reuters 1/1, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
The Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules giving broadcasters more flexibility in making the switch to digital television from traditional analog signals. The rules would, among other things, allow some broadcast stations to make a "phased transition" to digital broadcasting. Stations also will be allowed to reduce or terminate their analog service before the February 17, 2009 deadline for the transition "if doing so is necessary to achieve their transition," the FCC said Monday. "The rules we adopt in this item attempt to provide broadcasters the flexibility they need while at the same time ensuring that any disruption to over-the-air viewers is minimized to the fullest extent possible," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a statement.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN3049009520080101

* FCC Wants DTV Progress Report in 49 days
The FCC is demanding that every full-power TV station provide a status report on its digital facilities by Feb. 18, 2008, using a new FCC form. The form will also ask stations that haven't completed construction to detail what still needs to be done and provide a timeline for getting it done.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/31/daily.5/

* Third Periodic Review Report & Order:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A1.doc

__ Commissioners' statements __
* Martin: "We are committed to making the digital transition proceed as swiftly and smoothly as possible."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A4.doc

* Copps: "One year earlier would have been the charm. Sometimes timing is everything, and here a year's earlier start might have been the difference between a seamless and a chaotic Digital TV Transition. Had we acted then, we could have established a far more measured and orderly switch-over process, and the difficult trade-offs and compressed schedules contained in this Order could have been largely avoided. If a dissent could legitimately be based on frustration at being stuck in this situation, I would dissent today-I am that frustrated by our inaction."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A5.doc
* Copps: FCC Mulling DTV Test Markets
The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to conduct the digital TV transition in a few test markets before the national cutoff of analog TV on Feb. 17, 2009, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said. "Pulling the switch on stations all across the land at one and the same time in February 2009 is going to be a real throw of the dice. It is unfathomable to me that we are planning to turn off every analog signal in the country on a single day without running at least one test market first,” Commissioner Copps said. Copps said that FCC chairman Kevin Martin and unnamed “colleagues” have agreed “to sit down now and begin exploring the idea of one or more DTV demonstration projects” in several markets. But the idea of giving the DTV transition a dry run in a few test markets could prove controversial with some powerful forces.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6516153.html?rssid=196

* Adelstein: "I continue to believe, however, that poor long-term planning and the continued lack of a national, federal and an internal FCC coordination plan have left us in the unfortunate position of playing catch-up. Rather than being proactive - anticipating problems and concerns, and developing an effective strategy - we've been reactive. And so while this Order helps to propel the DTV Transition forward, we must be mindful that there is still a lot at stake and we owe it to the American public not to fail."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A6.doc

* Tate: "This Order is the result of input from broadcasters, and will allow them flexibility in making structural changes to their facilities. A one-size-fits-all approach is not prudent for an industry that serves thousands of diverse communities."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A7.doc

* McDowell: "The transition is an extremely complex undertaking that presents many challenges to the industry and to us as regulators. Many broadcasters will want more flexibility than we grant them in this Order. However, we have attempted to balance carefully their need for flexibility and certainty with the Commission's obligation to oversee the transition for the benefit of over-the-air viewers."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A8.doc