Martin Details DTV-Transition Proposals for Low-Power, Full-Power Stations

MARTIN DETAILS DTV-TRANSITION PROPOSALS FOR LOW-POWER, FULL-POWER STATIONS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin Friday outlined proposals he submitted to the other commissioners that he said will help out low-power and full-power TV stations in the switch to digital TV. On the satellite front, Martin proposed clarifying that the carry-one, carry all regime for local TV stations applies to their DTV signals, as well, which means that if a satellite operator carries any local-station DTV signal in a market, it must carry all. Martin is also proposing to help low-power TV stations make the transition to digital more swiftly, including opening up a filing window so that they can apply for DTV licenses. Currently, there is no hard date for the 4,700 low-power stations and translators that will still be allowed to broadcast in analog after the transition, but Martin said he is proposing to make that hard date 2012. Chairman Martin also wants to make it easier for class-A low-power stations -- which already have similar public-interest obligations to full-powers -- to upgrade to full-power status, although not necessarily increasing their power any.
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