NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Vol. VIII, No. 11 -- November 2001

DTV Deadlines Relaxed

As part of its first period review, the FCC has postponed some of the deadlines regarding the transition of TV stations from analog to digital. In an effort to make the implementation of DTV easier for broadcasters, the Commission has said it will not initially require total replication of the NTSC station's Grade B contour and will not penalize the station for not operating at maximum by continuing to protect the station's original DTV allotment. Previously, the Commission warned that stations not replicating their respective NTSC service area would lose interference protection beyond their actual operating DTV facilities. The FCC will also allow DTV operations only during prime time. However, it will still require that stations must be operating their DTV facilities for at least 50% of the time their analog facility is operating by April 1, 2003. The Commission has also postponed the December 31, 2003, deadline when stations were to choose the channel they would remain on after the transition to digital is complete.

Review Of Radio Ownership Rules

The Commission has begun a review of the Radio Ownership rules with the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making. The FCC plans on reviewing the ownership rules to ensure they are more responsive to the current radio market place, at the same time balancing market place positions against the need to satisfy public interest concerns. The text of the Notice, which has not yet been released, may make changes to the current rules relating to market definitions and how to determine the number of stations in a market. In the interim, the FCC stated it will continue to "flag" transactions that trigger its 50/70 rule (where the largest owner in the market would control 50% of the market's revenue and the top two owners would control 70% of the market revenue). The Commission has also asked for data on the affect consolidation has had and cited three markets in which it is interested: Syracuse, New York; Rockford, Illinois; and Florence, South Carolina. Comments are anticipated to be due in January.

No Letters In The Public File

The Commission has agreed, in light of the recent biological attacks and in response to a request from the NAB late last month, to waive the requirement of placing letters and comments received from the public into the Public Inspection file for a period of 60 days. The FCC has asked broadcasters to return to reviewing and placing the letters in the files sooner, if it is safe to do so.

Time To Winterize

As the season changes and the weather again turns to cold, snow, ice, etc., have you insured that your transmitter plants, remote vehicles and outside equipment are ready? As part of this review, it is also important to make sure the emergency generators are operating properly since they may very well be placed into service. Don't wait until you need it to find out that something isn't working.

No Letters Or Filings At The Portals

As a result of the potential bio-hazards, the Commission is no longer accepting messenger or hand delivered packages at its offices at the Portals at 445 12^th Street in Washington. Further, mail sent to the FCC at their headquarters will not be opened at the Commission, but will be redirected to a temporary location, checked, opened and then forwarded back to the Commission. E-filings are not affected by this action, nor are any filing deadlines are affected by this change.

Happy Thanksgiving

from the staff of

Graham Brock, Inc.