FCC Targets TV Stations Ending Analog
Kim Hart at the Washington Post
The Federal Communications Commission has told the owners of 123 TV stations that had planned to go ahead with the switch to digital broadcasts next week that they cannot do so unless they can show that consumers in their viewing areas will not be left in the dark.
On Monday, nearly 500 TV stations told the FCC they intended to make the switch to digital broadcasts on Feb. 17, the deadline that had been mandated by the government. Congress postponed the deadline last week to June 12, citing concerns that many people were unprepared for the move to digital.
Broadcasters who spent years preparing for next week's deadline were given the option of moving ahead, but the FCC said it reserved the right to prevent stations from switching if it posed a public safety threat to particular markets.
Wednesday night, the FCC said that it would not allow 123 stations to switch next week, saying it was worried that in some markets all the major commercial stations or network affiliates were planning on turning off analog signals.
Consumers who aren't yet prepared or are still waiting for coupons to purchase converter boxes needed to receive digital signals on analog televisions would lose access to important public safety information and local news alerts. Washington area stations have said they intend to keep analog signals on the air until June.
[ add comment ] | permalink | related link |
( 2.9 / 100 )
Random Entry
