Latest articles by HARRY C. MARTIN
Employment report
In April, the commission issued a notice seeking comment on possible revisions to Form 395-B, an annual employment report that must be filled out by broadcasters.
Spectrum friction
Wireless use of vacant TV white space is on the horizon. The principal remaining issues include whether portable devices will be authorized in white space
Carriage proposals
Two recent proposals by the FCC would open the door to significantly increased carriage obligations for cable operators as of the February 2009 DTV transition
Converting to DTV
In May, the FCC addressed some practical issues related to the DTV conversion, which is now set for February 2009. Below is a summary of the actions taken.
FCC promotes localism
In December 2007, the FCC issued its long-awaited localism report. With it came rule proposals that, if adopted, would impose new regulatory burdens on
DTV education
In March, the commission announced its DTV Consumer Education Initiative, which requires broadcasters to educate the public regarding the DTV transition.
Must-carry rules set
As of Feb. 17, 2009, all U.S. TV stations are expected to cease broadcasting in analog and commence digital-only operations. For viewers with digital
Record-keeping rules
In January, the FCC released its television reregulation order. The order heralds a dramatic change in the reporting and record-keeping requirements for
Second round DTV channel conflicts
In February, the commission issued guidelines for resolving the few situations (involving a total of 30 licensees) in which interference conflicts remain
Significantly viewed signals
The FCC has declared that satellite carriers may carry otherwise distant signals that are significantly viewed in specified communities
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
Transmission boost
The FCC’s grant to WTVE-DT to use DTS technology could help permanently authorize its use.
Broadcast ownership
The FNPRM provides little guidance as to where the commission may be heading
Migratory bird deaths
The FCC is considering replacing lighting on new or modified towers to protect migratory birds.
VNRs, a continuing problem
Video news releases (VNRs), unsolicited taped publicity pieces, continue to create issues for TV stations that do not identify the sources when all or part of such pieces appear in their newscasts
White-space proposal has new life
The U.S. Senate introduced two bills that would require the commission to adopt rules to authorize the unlicensed use of television spectrum for wireless
Networks agree to KidVid compromise
The four major broadcast networks, joined by some public interest groups, have proposed a compromise on the FCC's new KidVid rules in an effort to avoid
