Donovan Says Spectrum Reclamation Could Pose Problems For Cable Ops

David Donovan, who heads the Association for Maximum Service Television, told an American Cable Association audience Tuesday (April 20) in Washington that the Federal Communications Commission's broadcast spectrum reclamation proposal could pose problems for cable operators as well because reclaiming 120 MHz of spectrum from broadcasters, as the FCC is proposing, would mean another big move of channels.

He said that if the FCC tries to reduce the current 2-15 allotment for broadcasters to 2-30, close to 700 stations will have to be moved, reducing service areas or at least service areas without interference. For smaller operators, he said, that may mean a tougher time getting that signal to the cable headend or receive site.