Month: November 2005

SECOND ROUND DTV CHANNEL ELECTION ISSUES – PROPOSED NEGOTIATED CHANNEL ARRANGEMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR FILING ASSOCIATED PLEADINGS.

The Media Bureau hereby releases a list of the stations participating in the second round of DTV channel elections that are also participating in negotiated channel arrangements (“NCAs”). The attached list identifies stations proposing an NCA, as indicated on FCC Form 384, Digital Channel Election Form Second Round Election, and the channel the station proposes for posttransition DTV operation in connection with the NCA. Each NCA has one or more application file numbers, as indicated on the attached list. The list also includes the stations identified in the proposed NCA as participants in the arrangement.

The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Clarification Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that clarifies the Commission’s existing guidelines for stations’ interim use of DTS and initiates a rulemaking.

DTS technology would allow stations to employ multiple synchronized transmitters spread around a station’s service area, rather than a single-transmitter, enabling broadcasters to fill gaps in service coverage.  Each transmitter would broadcast the station’s DTV signal on the same channel, similar to analog TV booster stations but more efficiently.  The major benefit offered by DTS is to afford over-the-air service in areas previously blocked by terrain.  Continue reading “The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Clarification Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that clarifies the Commission’s existing guidelines for stations’ interim use of DTS and initiates a rulemaking.”

AUCTION OF FM BROADCAST CONSTRUCTION PERMITS, STATUS OF FCC FORM 175 APPLICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN AUCTION NO. 62.

The Media Bureau and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (collectively the “Bureaus”) of the Federal Communications Commission (“ Commission”) have received 339 FCC Form 175 (short- form) applications to participate in the upcoming auction of 171 FM broadcast construction permits (Auction No. 62) scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 12, 2006. The applications have been reviewed for completeness and compliance with the Commission’s rules, and have been classified into the categories listed in the attached files.

FCC MODIFIES DIGITAL TUNER REQUIREMENTS TO ADVANCE DTV TRANSITION

The FCC amended its rules to move the date on which all TV receivers must include the capability to receive digital television signals forward four months to March 1, 2007 and to apply the tuner requirement to all television receivers, regardless of their size. This action is intended to further the Commission’s efforts to ensure that consumers are able to receive off- the- air digital broadcast television services as soon as possible. Continue reading “FCC MODIFIES DIGITAL TUNER REQUIREMENTS TO ADVANCE DTV TRANSITION”

COMMISSION AMENDS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) RULES TO INCLUDE DIGITALMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES AND SEEKS FURTHER COMMENTS ON EAS SYSTEM.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a First Report and Order to help ensure that consumers using digital broadcast and subscription television and radio services have access to emergency alert and warning information. Noting the ever-increasing use of digital technologies by Americans, the First Report and Order expands the Commission’s current EAS rules to include providers of digital broadcast and cable TV, digital audio broadcasting, satellite radio, and direct broadcast satellite services. With the exception of Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service, all affected entities must comply with these new requirements by December 31, 2006. DBS services must comply no later than May 31, 2007. Continue reading “COMMISSION AMENDS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) RULES TO INCLUDE DIGITALMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES AND SEEKS FURTHER COMMENTS ON EAS SYSTEM.”