Graham Brock, Inc.
Broadcast Technical Consultants
www.grahambrock.com
Graham Brock, Inc.
Broadcast Technical Consultants
Vol. XIV, No. 5
R. Stuart Graham, Jr.
May 2007
Jefferson G. Brock
May Newsletter
Non-commercial Window
The Commission announced last month that it intends to
open a non-commercial window for the filing of new and
major change applications from October 12 through
October 19, 2007. While they have not indicated they
would do so, we expect a freeze on all non-commercial
minor change applications as the window approaches.
Existing non-commercial stations that are considering
filing applications for facility changes in advance of
the window should make preparations. Additionally, those
parties desiring to file for new non-commercial
facilities must research channel availability. These
searches should be undertaken soon in order to be
prepared for the actual filing window.
DTV Moves Forward
The Commission has begun its third review of the
analog to digital television transition. As part of
the review, a Further Notice of Rule Making proposes
some actions to facilitate the transition to
digital. The FCC proposes to expedite requests from
TV stations proposing implementation of their post
transition digital facility; consider allowing
stations to reduce or cease analog operations to
assist in digital transition; require stations to
advise the FCC of the status of its transition by
December 1, 2007; and establishes February 17, 2009
as the deadline for construction for stations with
new channel allotments in the final DTV table. The
Commission also has issues with an order which
requires TV receiver retailers to fully inform
customers when they purchase a receiver that only
has an analog tuner.
Still No Digital Radio News
Last month we reported that the FCC approved
changes to the way AM and FM stations notify the
Commission of commencement of digital
operations, including the ability to operate
HD2, HD3, etc., without an experimental
authorization. However, these changes do not
become effective until after the actual Order is
issued, which has not yet occurred. The Order is
also supposed to enable stations to use separate
antenna systems for digital operation without
the need to request a Special Temporary
Authority.
LPTV Companion Channel Applications Dismissed
Forty-four requests for companion digital
channels which were singletons (not mutually
exclusive with any other request) have been
dismissed because the applicants failed to
submit the required long form applications. Many
pending applications remain for which there are
two or more mutually exclusive filings. The
Commission has solicited engineering resolutions
for these applications, but has not addressed
them to date.
