In furtherance of the digital broadcast television (DTV) transition and to enable more viewers to realize the many benefits of DTV, the Commission established rules and policies to facilitate the digital transition for low power television (LPTV), TV translator and Class A TV stations. In its Report and Order, the Commission stated that its new rules and policies would “provide flexible and affordable opportunities for digital LPTV and TV translator service, both through the conversion of existing analog service and, where spectrum is available, new digital stations. The new rules provide that existing permittees and licensees in these services be given the flexibility to choose one (and only one) of two methods to convert their existing analog stations to digital. Existing permittees and licensees in these services may either implement an on-channel digital conversion of their analog channel or they may seek a (second) digital companion channel that may be operated simultaneously with their analog channel. Permittees and licensees in these services are not guaranteed a digital companion channel and must identify a channel that can be operated consistent with the Commission’s interference protection rules. At a date to be determined in the future, the Commission will require that the permittee or licensee terminate analog operation, return one of their two channels to the Commission, and operate their station only in digital mode. Permittees and licensees in these services may choose only one of these two methods for converting their existing analog stations to digital.
See Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television, Television Translator and Television Booster Stations and to Amend Rules for Digital Class A Television Stations, Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 19331 (2004) (Report and Order).
See attached files for more information.