FCC wants to speed up digital shift
WASHINGTON (AP) - February 11, 2008 In 2009, all full-power television stations are required to
broadcast a digital-only signal. But the nation's approximately
2,900 low-power stations and 4,400 signal-relay stations known as
"translators" are not required to make the transition.
This creates an unusual problem.
The government is spending $1.5 billion to provide people with
older-model televisions that use rabbit ears or other over-the-air
antennas with special digital-to-analog converter boxes.
That solution helps full-power stations, but creates confusion
for viewers of low-power stations. People who buy the wrong box
might actually end up blocking their favorite local channel without
knowing it.
Low-power stations provide service to rural areas and to
specific communities in urban areas that are not targeted by big
broadcasters. Such stations are much cheaper to build, and unlike
full-power stations, broadcast almost exclusively to viewers who
use antennas to pick up programming.
Translator stations rebroadcast the programming of full-power
stations. They serve areas that are too far away from a full-power
transmitter, or are cut off from a signal due to mountainous
terrain.
"The low-power television stations I think obviously provide an
important service to their local communities," Martin told
reporters Friday. "We don't want to see them adversely impacted."
There are about 560 "Class A" stations that have certain
interference protection rights not available to regular low-power
stations.
Martin said at the next commission meeting, scheduled for Feb.
26, he will propose an order that would at least partially address
the problem.
First, it "explicitly encourages" the consumer electronics
industry to configure their boxes to convert digital signals, but
allow analog signals to "pass through" without interruption.
Martin would also set a deadline of 2012 for low-power stations
to convert to digital broadcasting.
To encourage the transition, he would allow them to apply for a
second signal so they can continue to broadcast in analog format
while they work on their digital station.
The order would also give special consideration to Class A
stations to apply for full-power status when they convert to
digital. Full-power stations get more respect from banks, making it
easier for them to obtain financing to buy equipment needed to go
digital.
Congress appropriated $65 million to reimburse low-power
stations for equipment purchased to make the conversion, but the
money will not be available until late 2010. Sen. Olympia Snowe,
R-Maine, proposed legislation last week that would move up the
payouts to 2009.
Martin previewed his proposal as well as several other items
that will appear on the agenda of the next meeting in an unusual
press briefing that appeared to be a response to congressional
criticism.
Last October, the Government Accountability Office released a
report that said the agency tips off lobbyists in advance about
what items are coming up for a vote at commission meetings, usually
before the public is notified. The practice undermines the
"fairness and transparency of the process" and constitutes a
"violation of FCC's rules," the GAO said.
The chairman usually circulates an item for vote three weeks
before a meeting. One week before the meeting, the agenda is
published, and lobbying is banned. That allows a window of
opportunity for lobbyists who "time their lobbying efforts to
maximize their impact," GAO said.
With regular briefings to reporters, Martin appears to have come
up with a way to blunt that criticism.
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On the Web:
FCC fact sheet on low-power stations:
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/DTVandLPTV.html
To apply for a coupon for a converter: https://www.dtv2009.gov/
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
