Audio Video News

The Federal Communications Commission has changed some of its rules governing the transition from analog to digital television, according to an unofficial announcement about a "reconsideration order" issued November 8.

The changes recognize that the previous rules were so stringent that they may have been hindering rather than helping broadcasters make the move to digital. The "mid-course corrections," as the agency calls them, will allow stations to move more gradually into DTV operation. Stations will be allowed to build lower-powered DTV transmitters, while simultaneously expanding their coverage areas, concessions that will reduce the financial burden on commercial broadcasters during the changeover. Previously, they were scheduled to replicate their entire analog service areas with DTV signals by December 31, 2004.

The reconsideration order "would help prioritize elements that are the most important to the DTV transition, and serve the goals of maximizing the number of DTV stations on the air and providing an incentive to consumers to purchase DTV equipment," stated an agency press release. Other requirements, such as one that stipulated building "maximized facilities" by the deadline, or another that stations select their final digital channel designations by December 31, 2003, were also softened.

FCC reviewers said that the agency would establish new dates for replication, maximization, and channel election in the next periodic review. The new deadlines will not be later than the end of 2006 or the date by which 85% of the television households in a licensee's market are capable of receiving the signals of digital broadcast stations, whichever is later. The transition schedule is now as follows: Beginning April 1, 2003, DTV stations must provide digital signals at least 50% of the time that they transmit analog signals; on April 1, 2004, 75%; and on April 1, 2005, 100%.

In a concession to current economic trends, the FCC will now consider financial hardship as grounds for extending applicable construction deadlines. Stations seeking to extend their construction deadlines on the basis of financial hardship must provide detailed evidence that the cost of meeting the minimum build-out requirements exceeds their financial resources. Temporary economic fluctuations will not be considered acceptable; rather, stations must present detailed financial pictures over the long term, such as a three-year period.