Audio Video News

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Powell has asked major networks to boost their digital programming to at least 50% of their prime-time schedules for next season. He asked broadcasters in major markets to make sure they can transmit digitally by next January without degrading their analog signals. He also asked electronics manufacturers to include digital tuners in coming generations of television sets—in 36" or larger sets by 2005, in 25" or larger sets by 2006, and in 13" or larger sets by 2007. Tuner requirements have been contested by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which claims that it does not want TV design to be "dictated by Washington."

The suggestions were among several made in a proposal, announced Thursday, April 4, that Powell hopes will propel the DTV transition to the next level. All these suggestions have been made before, with networks, broadcasters, and equipment makers complaining that they are helpless without the cooperation of cable providers. Powell therefore made a point of addressing the cable industry, stating that he hopes that those with 750MHz bandwidth systems will commit to carry at least five digital programming services for at least half of their prime-time schedules next year. "Chairman Powell has put forward some thought-provoking proposals, several of which the cable industry is already actively working to accomplish," said National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) president and CEO Robert Sachs. "We look forward to discussing these proposals with Chairman Powell."

Powell also asked electronics companies and cable providers to make a commitment to supply set-top converter boxes that will enable the viewing of high definition–originated programming on legacy television sets. The high cost of digital television sets and the lack of programming to watch on them have hindered market acceptance of the technology.

Powell said that his sentiments were expressed as suggestions "intended to provide an immediate spur to the transition by giving consumers a reason to invest in digital technology today, while we continue to work on resolving the longer-term issues." Lawmakers are growing impatient with the slow rollout of digital television, he said, which involved an FCC giveaway of 6MHz of free bandwidth to each of the nation's 1600 television stations. Although Powell's suggestions are voluntary, he intends "to follow up and seek commitments," according to FCC spokesman Dan Fiske.

One of the most difficult issues is the entertainment industry's concern about the ease of copying and replicating digital content—issues that Powell sidestepped in his address. "These are issues that can and must be resolved," he stated, "but I do not believe that we must defer all progress on the digital television transition until we do." Powell did mention that IEEE1394 ("FireWire") and DVI interfaces make piracy difficult, and suggested their wider adoption.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) president Eddie Fritts applauded Powell's speech. "NAB views chairman Powell's digital television plan as a major step forward in breaking the DTV logjam," Fritts stated. "While we have concerns over elements of the proposal, NAB congratulates Chairman Powell on this initiative. We stand ready to work with the FCC and Congress to bring consumers the next generation of television."