Latest articles by HARRY C. MARTIN
Online tower construction notification
Last year the commission established an on-line Tower Construction Notification System (TCNS) to notify SHPOs, Indian tribes and NHOs of tower construction interest in an area of land
Political Broadcasting 101
A brief review of applicable law and regulation governing access to time by political candidates.
Frequency coordination for broadcast auxiliaries
Requiring adherence to uniform frequency coordination procedures is expected to reduce interference between services sharing a band.
FCC approves plug-and-play
The FCC has approved equipment standards that will allow digital television sets to connect directly to digital cable service wall outlets without the need for a set-top box (“plug-and-play” TV).
a la carte gets negative response
According to the Bureau, an à la carte model would not lower subscription costs or promote viewer choice
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
DTV transition schedule set
A description of portions of the Transition Order and the important upcoming deadlines
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 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
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
FCC Update: Use of Digital Frequencies for Analog Operations
In September, the FCC issued an order regarding its ongoing 700 mHz “band-clearing” proceedings.
FCC clarifies satellite must-carry rules
The FCC has issued an order on reconsideration of the satellite TV must-carry rules adopted in 2000.
FCC Update: Powell offers plan to spur DTV transition
FCC Chairman Michael Powell has sent to Congressional leaders a plan to spur the national DTV transition.
FCC Update: Video: description rules in place
On April 1, 2002, the Commission's video description rules for video programming became effective.
Multiple ownership rules clarified
In January, the FCC released a decision addressing 14 petitions for reconsideration dealing with the new TV duopoly and cross-ownership rules. The new
EEO rules invalidated
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the EEO rules that became effective in April 2000. The
DTV buildout
May 1, 2002, is the deadline for commercial stations in the top-30 markets to complete construction of their DTV facilities. In the past the FCC has granted
DTV buildout
May 1, 2002, is the deadline for commercial stations in the top-30 markets to complete construction of their DTV facilities. In the past the FCC has granted
