FCC: 123 Stations Pose 'Significant' Risk If They End Analog Feb. 17
Agency Requires Some to Meet Additional Requirements to Go All-Digital
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 2/12/2009 6:45:18 AM
The Federal Communications Commission said the Feb. 17 analog-shutoff plans of 123 TV stations present a "significant risk of substantial public harm," and is requiring those stations to certify they meet additional requirements before they may go all-digital next week.
The stations are in markets across the country, including: Dayton, Ohio; Eugene, Ore.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Sioux City, Iowa; Topeka, Kan.; Wichita, Kan.; Waco, Texas; La Crosse, Wisc.; Madison, Wisc.; Rockford, Ill.; Lincoln, Neb.; Burlington, Vt.; and Billings, Mont. (A full list of the stations is available on the FCC's Web site here.)
President Obama on Wednesday signed into law a bill that gives TV stations the option of waiting until June 12 to end analog broadcasts. In the past week 491 stations told the FCC they wanted to go all-digital on or before the original date.
The FCC has decided, however, that one-fourth of the 491 may not proceed unless they jump through some more hoops.
"We have identified 123 stations of the 491 intending to terminate analog service on February 17th whose early termination poses a significant risk of substantial public harm," the agency said in a public notice late Wednesday.
The FCC said it developed the list by identifying the markets in which all of the stations would be terminating analog service Feb. 17, as well as those markets in which affiliates of all four of the major networks -- ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC -- would be terminating analog service.
"We considered the presence of major networks and their affiliates critical to ensuring that viewers have access to local news and public affairs available over the air because the major network affiliates are the primary source of local broadcast news and public affairs programming," the FCC said.
The sequence of events has disrupted the DTV transition plans of many broadcasters and cable operators. For cable, though, the scheduling confusion has mainly introduced logistical challenges. Some systems, such as Cox Las Vegas, are already fully prepared for the cut-over.
The FCC is not permitting the 123 stations in "at-risk" markets to proceed unless they certify with the agency by 6 p.m. Eastern Friday that they comply with eight additional requirements, including ensuring that at least one station that is currently providing analog service to an area within the DMA provides DTV transition and emergency information, as well as local news and public affairs programming ("enhanced nightlight" service) for at least 60 days following Feb. 17. (The public notice is available here.)
The commission also said it would consider exemptions for "extraordiary, exigent circumstances," such as extreme economic hardship.
