FCC denies two TV stations from early digital transition

Jay · 04-11-2009, 09:23 PM

Broadcasting and Cable reports that the FCC has denied hardship waivers from two stations barring them from cutting analog broagcasts scheduled for April 16th, 2009.

Both stations, KARD(TV) West Monroe, LA (Fox), and KTVE(TV) El Dorado, Ark, had cited low operating power and similar arguments about the staff drain of maintaining the equipment.

Quote:

According to an FCC source, the equipment failure argument did not trump the fact that there would no longer be any analog service in the market, and that the owners "did not offer to provide any kind of enhanced nightlight service or to provide their news to any other station that might be available to keep analog on in the area."

Read more about the story here.

1inxs · 04-12-2009, 07:20 AM

They should have read the FCC rules and applied for their waiver using an excuse the FCC would accept. Won't it be nice to complete the DTV switchover? I believe it will take care of a lot of flaws in OTA broadcasts and we'll get more sub channels.

HTNut · 04-12-2009, 08:46 AM

Some of the smaller market stations should have definitely been given consideration for early transition, but I guess they're also the same markets that have the highest percentage of OTA viewers who aren't ready. Serious question, has the government subsidized any of the transition for OTA broadcasters?

DTVuser2009 · 04-12-2009, 09:32 AM

I always thought that after the delay the government couldn't stop a station from throwing the switch any way? when did that change?

Boo-Ray · 04-12-2009, 08:04 PM

There should have never been a postponement in the first place had there been a better outreach program. Thankfully we got rid of the Bush cronies in the FCC this year...hope they'll start relaxing some of the strict and wacky regulations we've seen over the years.

1inxs · 04-13-2009, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo-Ray

There should have never been a postponement in the first place had there been a better outreach program. Thankfully we got rid of the Bush cronies in the FCC this year...hope they'll start relaxing some of the strict and wacky regulations we've seen over the years.

I thought this was the DTV News and Articles section. I guess some can find a way to blame Bush for anything. Hopefully this forum doesn't turn into another Bush bashing forum. The postponement happened after President Bush left office. The engineer in my area said he couldn't get to the tower for the final switch over by February because the snow is to deep. He hopes to be able to get up there in early June. I believe the FCC just didn't realize the February deadline had a few areas without the access needed for the final switchover.

Aaron62 · 04-13-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo-Ray

There should have never been a postponement in the first place had there been a better outreach program. Thankfully we got rid of the Bush cronies in the FCC this year...hope they'll start relaxing some of the strict and wacky regulations we've seen over the years.

lol, come on man, not here. Take it to the off topic section or something, I see enough of this cra..... stuff in the music forums anyway. Besides, I don't think you'll be making too many friends here with that point of view anyway...

Jay · 04-13-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo-Ray

There should have never been a postponement in the first place had there been a better outreach program. Thankfully we got rid of the Bush cronies in the FCC this year...hope they'll start relaxing some of the strict and wacky regulations we've seen over the years.

You lost me at "We".

DTVuser2009 · 04-13-2009, 12:58 PM

I say throw the switch....those who get blank screens or snow will know then to upgrade.

staticMHZ · 04-13-2009, 07:08 PM

what the procrastinator's or whoever failed to realize is, even after the delay, (if they don't make up another excuse), there will STILL be folks who aren't ready. Either they are just lazy, broke, or just don't wanna watch tv anymore for reasons unknown.

The lazy one's are only going to get off the couch and buy a box when they pull the plug.

Keep delaying, and it will keep getting worse.


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