FCC Extends Freeze on Analog TV Cuts to April 16
The FCC extended a freeze on analog broadcast cutoffs from March 14 to April 16, as it had proposed (CD Feb 24 p2), and required all stations to tell viewers they should periodically re-scan digital converter boxes. In an order Friday, it also said stations switching frequencies between UHF and VHF must tell viewers they may need additional equipment to continue getting reception. To stop analog service before June 12, affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC must run “walk-in” consumer help centers and take several other steps if a Big Four affiliate in the same market won’t serve at least 90 percent of its Grade B contour with analog, it said.
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“I think it is unlikely that many stations will transition before June 12th” because of “the rules established for stations to transition early,” said David Donovan, president of the Association for Maximum Service Television. “The FCC took some of our suggestions, but it appears no station may transition before April 16” if they're a commercial broadcaster he added, saying he was still evaluating the order.
The 213 full-power stations that haven’t already gone all-digital and won’t serve more than 98 percent of their analog viewers with DTV must provide “geographically specific information describing” those signal-loss areas, the FCC said. That action was expected (CD March 10 p3). Although the NAB had argued such requirements could confuse viewers, “we disagree,” the order stated. “If broadcasters provide only the general information suggested in NAB’s comments, it would effectively undermine the goal of providing signal loss information.” NAB spokespeople didn’t reply to messages seeking comment.
Noncommercial educational stations can cease analog starting March 27 only if they certify “such termination is necessary as a result of significant financial hardship.” The Association of Public Television Stations had sought FCC permission for such broadcasters to stop analog service shortly after Feb. 17 because they hadn’t budgeted to pay for analog service after then, the regulator noted. “Although all stations may face such unplanned expenses, they are likely to fall particularly hard on NCE stations because of their unique financial difficulties, such as their reliance on government funding.” Officials at the APTS couldn’t be reached to comment.
All stations only need to run DTV “countdown” clocks 60 days before they stop analog broadcasts, instead of the 100 days that had been required, the FCC said. Those going all- digital June 12 can switch at any time that day.