The five FCC commissioners will consider rules allowing translators for digital television stations that have experienced coverage-area shrinkage in the switch from analog to digital, as was famously the case for NBC WECT-TV in September’s Wilmington NC DTV preview. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin will have a couple more chances to take a crack at cable, with planks on program carriage and access, and with a look into fining certain MVPD companies which have not lived up to their DTV educational responsibilities. Radio issues are not on the agenda at this point, which means there is no early mention of Arbitron, PPM or localism. The meeting is scheduled for 12/18/08.
