Ninety-six percent of full-power TV stations are fully operational with their digital service or are on track to have full digital service operational by the DTV transition Feb. 17, 2009, according to a new report from the FCC Media Bureau.
The report, based on the mandatory submission of FCC Form 387 DTV Transition Status Report and other filings, paints an overall positive picture of the industry’s effort to be ready for maximized DTV service.
According to the report, 1002 full-power stations, or 56 percent of the 1798 total, have reported to the commission that construction of their post-transition DTV facilities is complete and that they are ready for the transition.
A total of 736 stations, or 41 percent of all full-power stations on-air, are not finished with their DTV construction but have reported progress and expect to meet the DTV transition deadline, according to the report.
Fifty-six stations, or 3 percent, have reported to the commission that they will not be finished with their DTV facility work by the transition, but will be serving at least 85 percent of their service populations by Feb. 17.
According to the Media Bureau, one station has reported to the commission that it will be unable to finish construction of its DTV facility by the deadline and will go dark for a short time. Three stations have not officially reported on their progress, but have said they will be ready by the deadline.
To read the report in its entirety, visit http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-284765A1.pdf.
