FCC seeking comment as sun sets on digital TV carriage rules

One of the key elements of the transition to digital broadcast television was to assure that no consumers were left behind due to the lack of a digital receiver. Another was an exemption from the requirement that MVPDs pass along non-degraded high-definition broadcast signals granted to small systems. The rules expire this summer, and the Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment as to whether or not they need to be extended. The FCC is waiting for the matter, officially in the books as a Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Declaratory Order, to be published in the Federal Register. Once that happens, it will establish a 25-day deadline for comments, with 10 additional days provided for reply comments. The current rules evaporate 6/12/12 unless extended.