Martin Plan: Cable Must-Carry For Class A

MARTIN PLAN: CABLE MUST-CARRY FOR CLASS A
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Apparently, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed new requirements for cable operators to carry the signals of low-power television stations. His aim is to release launch a rulemaking proceeding at the FCC's February 26 meeting. Adoption of the Martin-backed plan could be a windfall for the owners of Class A TV stations as the regulations would provide those broadcast outlets with instant access to about 60% of TV homes in a typical market. It could also mean more competition among local TV stations. It's possible that TV stations that already have must-carry rights might not want to see their numbers expand. Class A owners could be in the catbird seat financially for another reason: The FCC has not granted any new Class A licenses since the late 1990s, putting a premium on the existing inventory. According to the FCC, there are 567 Class A stations, which are required to air three-hours of local programming per week and remain on the air 18 hours per day. Unlike full-power TV stations, Class A stations do not have comprehensive mandatory cable carriage rights today. Federal law and FCC rules limit Class A must carry to the most rural parts of the country, where there might not even be a cable company.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6530237.html?nid=4262