Latest articles by HARRY C. MARTIN
Broadcasters seek modified DTV must-carry rights
The new proposal would allow a station to elect must-carry for either its analog or digital channel and to elect retransmission consent for the other channel during the transition.
New closed captioning requirements for 2004
The commission is reminding video programming distributors that the closed captioning benchmarks for new English and Spanish non-exempt video programming
Political Broadcasting 101
A brief review of applicable law and regulation governing access to time by political candidates.
MSTV proposes DTV channel assignment plan
The Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) recently submitted a five-step plan for moving all television stations to permanent digital channels in the core to the FCC
FCC proposes unlicensed use of TV channels
The FCC has released a controversial Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that could open the door for the use of unlicensed devices on vacant TV channels
a la carte gets negative response
According to the Bureau, an à la carte model would not lower subscription costs or promote viewer choice
DTV transition schedule set
A description of portions of the Transition Order and the important upcoming deadlines
Frequency coordination for broadcast auxiliaries
Requiring adherence to uniform frequency coordination procedures is expected to reduce interference between services sharing a band.
FCC stresses emergency information obligation
The FCC fined three San Diego TV stations for failure to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities
Cable/satellite programming la carte?
In response to a Congressional mandate, the FCC recently inquired whether satellite and cable TV operators should be required to offer their programming
New tax certificate program proposed
Senator John McCain has introduced a bill that would bring back “tax certificates” for those who sell communications companies, including broadcast stations, to qualified small businesses.
FCC Update: Need for EEO rules explored
In June, the Commission held an en banc hearing on the need for new broadcast and cable equal employment opportunity (EEO) rules.
DTV transition rules for translators and LPTV
The FCC has established rules for converting low-power television (LPTV), television translator and Class A TV stations to the DTV mode
DTV transition marches into 2005
This year the FCC will continue its push towards a full DTV transition. The most immediate concerns for TV broadcasters are as follows: Buildout and PSIP
FCC planning early DTS roll-out
Proponents of DTS claim that broadcasters can use it to overcome DTV signal delivery problems
