McCain fails to get hard DTV deadline
Sen. John McCain's attempt to get a hard deadline of 1/1/09 for the return of all analog television spectrum to the government for reallocation to public safety organizations was headed off in committee. However, if the amended measure does move forward, some of that spectrum could go to public safety groups even earlier, and money will be allocated to make sure poorer Americans make the digital transition with everyone else.
The Commerce Committee accepted an amendment by Conrad Burns (R-MT) which in effect created what many on the committee called a major loophole around complying with such a deadline. The National Association of Broadcasters supported Burn's amendment.
McCain's bill provides for the expenditure of up to 1B on devices to convert digital television signals to analog in order to assure over-the-air reception of television programming to citizens who do not subscribe to cable or satellite television services.
It would also require labeling new analog television sets to inform purchasers about the upcoming transition, and the fact that add-on devices would be required to keep the sets operational once the transition to digital is complete.
The bill would also urge the FCC to clear up remaining impediments to the transition. Chief among these are how cable must-carry will work - - will cable systems be required to carry all channels in a split-stream digital broadcast signal; and whether broadcasters will be held to new and more stringent public interest requirement.
NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts commented, "Today's vote balances the legitimate needs of public safety providers while limiting the disruption of local television service to millions of consumers. NAB thanks Sens. Stevens, Burns, Hollings and Inouye - - along with other Senators who supported the Burns amendment - - for recognizing the importance of a vibrant, universal and free system of local broadcasting."
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