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A choice proposition on DTV

Most television broadcasters are currently operating on two channels, with one broadcast going out in analog and the other in digital. The time is rapidly approaching when final decisions must which channel - - perhaps one the two already occupied or perhaps a third option - - will become the permanent home when the station is digital-only.

We suspect that if your station has been NBC-4 for decades (that's where my family usually gets its local TV news here in Washington), then Channel 4 is going to be the lucky winner in the channel election process. But it doesn't have to be.

Here, straight from the FCC, are the channel election parameters. Monday: powering up requirements.

* Television broadcast station licensees must elect the channel they will use for digital broadcasting after the transition.

* Most station licensees currently have two channels, one on which they are broadcasting analog signals, the other on which they are broadcasting digital signals. After the transition from analog to digital broadcasting is completed, stations will need only one digital channel and it must be within the core channels, 2 through 51.

* The channel election process allows station licensees to choose which channel they prefer, subject to Commission evaluation of interference protection for all stations.

* The channel election process will consist of three rounds, with Commission notification of conflicts and tentative designations between each round.

* August 3, 2004: The Media Bureau announced a freeze on new applications to stabilize the database in preparation for the elections.

* October 2004: Licensees are encouraged to ensure accuracy of database technical information on-file with the Commission before October 1, 2004. The Commission will issue a Table of Station Information (based on licensees' on-file database information) so that station licensees will know the DTV service populations to be used in the channel election process.

* November 2004: Channel election process begins with all stations certifying their database technical information; and certifying intent to replicate or maximize on their post-transition channel

* December 2004: Round One - Station licensees with two in-core channels elect the channel they prefer to retain for digital broadcasting, and licensees with one in-core and one out-of-core channel elect whether to use their in-core channel for post-transition digital operation.

* July 2005: Round Two - Station licensees without a current in-core channel assignment elect a channel from those available after Round One.

* January 2006: Round Three - Station licensees not yet assigned a channel, or assigned channel 2 through 6, may elect a channel from those available after Round Two.

* Between each round, the Commission will announce which channels are protected, which are in conflict, and which are available. Station licensees with conflicts will decide whether to accept interference and remain on elected channels or move to the next election round.

* After Round Three, the Commission will resolve remaining conflicts based on relevant factors.

* August 2006: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing and seeking comment on new DTV Table of Allotments.