HARRY C. MARTIN

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.

With the major DTV rulemaking proceedings out of the way, the commission has been working on resolving remaining DTV transition issues as they occur.

The FCC has issued its first fine to a television station for failure to have a sufficient amount of children's educational or informational (E/I) programming,

The commercial television stations in the Wilmington, NC, market have agreed to shut down their analog operations on Sept. 8, more than five months ahead

The FCC has announced that it will accept applications for new and major change LPTV and translator stations. This is the first such window since 2000.

In March, the commission announced its DTV Consumer Education Initiative, which requires broadcasters to educate the public regarding the DTV transition.

The FCC will permit use of TV white space after the DTV transition.

The July 1 deadline for all stations to commence operation of their DTV facilities with either replication or maximized facilities or face the loss of

The FCC is considering replacing lighting on new or modified towers to protect migratory birds.

In response to complaints filed by public interest groups in November 2006, the FCC has fined Comcast $20,000 for carrying portions of video news releases

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

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

In January, the FCC released its television reregulation order. The order heralds a dramatic change in the reporting and record-keeping requirements for

In February, the commission issued guidelines for resolving the few situations (involving a total of 30 licensees) in which interference conflicts remain

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

In May, the FCC ordered changes in the ownership reporting procedures for commercial radio and TV stations, expanded the reach of its reporting rules

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

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