FCC tightens rules for DTV switchover

TV stations that want to stop analog broadcasts before the government-mandated DTV transition on June 12 must comply with stiff new rules just issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

Stations have been allowed to switch to all-digital broadcasts before that date, and more than 600 have already done so. The new rules prohibit any further analog-to-digital switchovers until April 16 and require stations to air viewer notifications for at least 30 days before they cut their analog signals. The only exceptions are noncommercial stations that can demonstrate significant financial hardship. Stations that have not already gone all-digital will be required to file a binding notice of their transition date by tomorrow, March 17.

The FCC says the new rules are meant to protect and prepare consumers while giving broadcasters the flexibility to switch to digital before the June 12 deadline. The new rules were prompted in part by lessons learned on February 17—the original DTV deadline—when about a third of the nation’s nearly 1,800 full-power broadcasters flipped off their traditional analog signals and went all-digital, according to the FCC.

Among the new rules:

• Signal loss: Stations must provide on-air and other notifications of potential signal loss if two percent or more of their analog viewers are expected to lose service. More than 200 stations fall into this category, according to the agency.

• Antennas: All stations must educate consumers on the use of antennas and the possible need for additional or different equipment if broadcasts are moving from the VHF to UHF bands.

• Scanning: Stations must inform viewers about the importance of periodically using the rescan function for digital stations.

And there's more. Affiliates of the major networks—ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC —that wish to terminate analog service prior to June 12 must also ensure that at least 90 percent of their analog viewers will receive some analog service from another major network affiliate through June 12. If more than 10 percent of the analog viewers of a major network affiliate lose service from all affiliates, then that station must offer walk-in help centers, consumer referral telephone numbers, and DTV education and outreach. 

“The guiding principle here is simple —consumers deserve to know the truth,” says Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps. “They will forgive a lot, but they won't forgive being lulled into a false sense that the transition will be less disruptive or less expensive than it turns out to be.”

—Bob Williams

Comments

[Ray Greenfield]

No big deal right! Just another grand example of runaway capitalism at its very worse. I have a portable 5 inch LCD color television that will be rendered quite useless by June the 12th. I also have a real problem with those digital amplifiers out there too.

(1) Why UHF bandwidth receiving capabilities only??? What happened too "VHF???"

(2) Digital image freeze problems associated with that poor reception nonsense. With no quick fix?

(3) That Poor digital conversion that's creating substandard picture quality big time out there.

Moreover, what about that freed up bandwidth too, who will greatly benefit from that little transaction??? (big brother? we all heard about those tiny personal tracking transmitters the size of the grain of rice. Curious here what band does that device operate on??? VHF?

I grew up watching analog television broadcasts. Like all things these VHF channels were weak and quite fuzzy too. Then as that technology improved broadcast's became crystal clear. If digital is the next step in that television evolution, in my opinion its a step backwards.

I'm not entirely impressed with the overall quality or lack of associated with the new digital broadcast medium...

[everett whitney]

TO: Glenn - " 2 % LOSS. . . . !"

Sorry - but - some of your 'Facts" have become intermixed w/ untruths.

No, come 12 June, DTV broadcasts will NOT be at reduced power at all.

"2% Loss" - there WILL be many, many households NOT able to have O.T.A.-DTV simply because UHF transmission / reception IS technically unable to "carry" and / or be received at all as easily as has been VHF.

DTV has Zero partial displays w/ "snow" or ghosts ... strictly 100% perfect or no display at all.

The effective "carrying" distance is greatly-less, any sudden, dramatic changes in temperatures, violent weather, nearby taller buildings which "shadow" or conceal yours, a dramatic elevation difference such as behind a hill or in a valley, dense hard wood tress w/ their foliage, the unwillingness of some to have a huge, "unattractive" outside antenna atop the ridge line of their roof for all to see, ... are all technical reasons why there must be places w/o O.T.A.-DTV on 12 June.

And, the total funds received from those auctions of the reassigned frequencies IS pale anymore whenever compared to the TRILLIONS now being electronically-tossed about daily!

Federal Coupon Converters are NOT a permanent, reliable FIX!

Certainly - many WILL need to obtain new local cable service - ours IS $11 / monthly for 23 channels including all (8) national networks in full HD - IF - you buy the proper HDTV w/ a QAM tuner internally. All cable companies have some variety of this new, limited channel service for those unable to self-install a new roof antenna system.

No - there is NO mysterious government hoax!

everett

[Glenn]

Do not believe in the 2% loss. IT WILL BE MORE. I live less than 28 miles from a tv station (WETA)and have great difficulty picking it up. The FCC map says I should recieve it fine. Converting to Digital TV is all about money. Money the government will get when they sell the frequencies they gained from the switch. The stations gain because they do not need to power a digital transmitter as strong as an analog transmitter. Cable TV will get more customers as well. Who will be left out--the consumers. When will consumers union report about that instead of working with the government on this sham against consumers

[Mike]

As long as the change is being delayed people will still not be prepared. Just do it. People didn't have to wait till the last minute to get ready. That was their choice. Whenever something changes we pay for it. Why should this be any different.

[everett whitney]

TO: Ms. Mary - " Why do individuals have to pay ..."

Partly, because this Nation has had over TEN years during which to prepare ! The original plans were made public with Much fanfare in 1998 with the signing of the initial federal bill which then became the DTV regulation.

With very careful selection, there have been since inception, federal coupon boxes available for just the shipping & taxes in exchange for the coupon . . . . at the most, under $10 exchange.

Sadly, the natural tendency in this Nation is to postpone ALL 'til .. tomorrow ..

And, before you DO expend any money at all - please check with nearby neighbors / friends regarding their outcome using older "Rabbit Ear" indoor set top antennas, as in many cases, these will NOT be appropriate at all. In such instances, there has to be a new antenna as well !

[Mary Lukaska]

People who have a limited income (like myself) find this a real hardship. To watch my favorite TV programs, I must purchase a converter box, even with the $40.00 discount card, it is still a hardship. Why does the consumer have to pay for the conversion?

[Bob]

Andy is right. Flip the switch. This is another example of the useless prigs in Washington getting in the way of progress, and I am sorry to see CU aiding and abetting incompetence.

[andy]

The problem is no matter how much you hold these peoples hands, the truth is we just need to switch the signal. When their tv is fuzzy, then they will figure out how to fix it. All this extra hand-holding is just silly.