[opendtv] News: DTV Switch: Many Stations to Broadcast Dual Signals Through June
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 10:13:16 -0500
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/dtv_switch_many_stations_to_br.php
DTV Switch: Many Stations to Broadcast Dual Signals Through June
By Ira Teinowitz
CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo and ABC have all agreed to keep both analog
and digital signals airing for their owned and operated stations
through the new June 12 date set for the DTV transition.
Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps made
the announcement at his first FCC meeting as acting chairman. He also
said most of the stations owned by Hearst-Argyle and Gannett will be
airing dual signals.
For TVWeek's comprehensive coverage of the digital television
transition, visit the DTV Switch Navigator page.
The FCC said stations wanting to switch to digital-only on Feb. 17
would have to notify the agency and run a month's worth of public
service announcements to inform viewers in the short time before Feb.
17.
The FCC also said that stations that don't switch by Feb. 17 will
have to give viewers a full 30 days of notice, meaning no additional
switches will be allowed until March 14 at the earliest.
Stations are scrambling to adjust to a delay in the switch to
all-digital signals to June 12 from the transition's original Feb. 17
date. A bill providing for the delay is awaiting the signature of
President Barack Obama, who requested the pause after being elected.
While proponents of the delay say going forward with the Feb. 17 date
would leave too many people without TV, 90% of television industry
readers surveyed by TVWeek oppose the delay, citing the additional
cost of dual signals and the potential for consumer confusion.
Mr. Copps made his comments today as the FCC announced procedures for
stations that are planning to switch to a digital-only signal on the
originally envisioned Feb. 17 switchover date.
Mr. Copps said that while Congress wants the FCC to ease the way for
stations to switch over, the FCC reserves the right to deny requests
from stations to switch to digital-only early "if they do not serve
the public interest."
Mr. Copps said the FCC "is nowhere where it needs to be" on the
digital transition. He said he was pleased Congress acted to push the
date back to June and encouraged broadcasters to base their decision
as to when they switch on what would be in the public's best interest.
(Editor: Baumann)
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