FCC Puts the Hammer Down

[Kevin Arnold]

In an article from Broadcast and Cable's TV Insight web page the following story appeared incdicating that the FCC will be coming down on errant stations. I wonder what it means here?

"At its meeting this week, the Federal Communications Commission will propose a plan for sanctioning television stations that can't justify missing the May 1 digital-television deadline.

Those sanctions can include fines or even license revocation.

More than two-thirds of the country's 1,300 commercial stations didn't meet the target. Of those, 525 have been granted six-month waivers.

Another 324 stations have been asked for more information, but most are expected to get waivers once they spell out their efforts and provide timetables for service.

The FCC is also expected to extend waivers to the handful of stations in top 30 markets that haven't launched digital TV due to zoning disputes and other problems. Those were to have gone digital Nov. 1, 1999."
 

[Tom Snyder]

Sweet...

Go get 'em guys!!! Put their feet to the fire!

So, who are they proposing this plan TO? Whether it's our elected officials or a bunch of empowered bureaucrats, we'll need to  find and publish the contact info here so we can let them know how WE feel about this.

[This message has been edited by Tom Snyder (edited 05-14-2002).]

[oflaherty]

From Broadcasting and Cable:

FCC spells out sanctions for DTV dawdlers

Bill McConnell
Broadcasting & Cable
5/16/2002 7:15:00 PM
   TV stations that can't justify missing the May 1 digital launch deadline will have an extra six months before facing substantial penalty from the FCC.

Thursday the commission approved procedures for fining or even stripping permits of DTV laggards, but these toughest measures won't be used right away.

'Our goal isn't to punish people, but to achieve the goal of getting programming out there,' said Barbara Kreisman, chief of the Media Bureau's video services division.

Stations that can justify delays based on technical problems, delays in scheduling construction crews, zoning fights or inability to obtain financing are allowed up to two six-month waivers.

Those denied waivers are will be sent a letter of admonishment and required to report regularly on their progress bringing DTV online.

Admonished stations that fail to go digital within six months of the reprimand will be issued a notice of apparent liability for fines and required to meet a series of 30-day construction milestones.

If a station fails to offer a digital signal a year after admonishment, the FCC will revoke its construction permit.

The procedures were floated as proposed rules but will go into affect immediately on a case-by-case basis until they become permanent. The commission tentatively concluded that channels confiscated from cancelled construction permits will be reauctioned.

National Association of Broadcasters officials Thursday said the sanctions appeared reasonable.

'We believe the vast majority of broadcasters will work aggressively to meet the 'DTV plan put forth today as evidenced by the fact that Harris Corp. has 700 transmitters on order right now,' said NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton.

---
Sean at TMJ

[Joseph S]

 

Stations that can justify delays based on technical problems, delays in scheduling construction crews, zoning fights or inability to obtain financing are allowed up to two six-month waivers.

That's great. WI$N according to the other post, hasn't even tried anything since last October. That means they will be going 9 months(til June) + 6 months + 6 more months and still do nothing.

 

'Our goal isn't to punish people, but to achieve the goal of getting programming out there,'

The programming is "out there" it just isn't broadcast here. They must have bought the Hammer from Fisher Price. A "letter of admonishment." That's pretty lame, I want a $50,000+ fine everyday with the money to fund DTV tuner rebate programs in their viewing area.  

As for this in the other post.
 

"Thank you for your comments. I can assure you that we are working diligently to
resolve the issues so we can move forward. Our goal is to provide a high quality
HDTV signal to the Milwaukee market as soon as possible.

Regards,

Dean Maytag
Director of Broadcast Operations
WISN-TV

That's the same guy that guaranteed me in February that they would meet May 1, no matter what. Hmmm... May 17th and 0% signal

Thanks for the update Sean.

Keep us informed of all the secret inside dirt on these violators.

[Matt Heebner]

The thing that really burns me is that WISN has been in these permit hearings since 1999. Three years of getting nothing resolved, I don't think it's going to happen in the next 6 months.

WISN has all the equipment ready to go, they just want the antenna height higher. Milwaukee hasn't agreed yet, and probably never will. Kinda reminds you of a 4 year old who keeps asking if he can have a cookie after his parents already said no. Does WISN really think that the answer is going to change after the 100th time they ask?

Matt

[Tom Snyder]

If I'm a broadcaster who has busted my hump (and my budget) to meet my legal, moral and ethical obligations by hitting the May 1 deadline, this "sanction" is a slap in the face... all it is an extra 12 months for the other guys to delay.

I predict that channel 12 will end up either at the lower height or on the community tower. Either way, the zoning denial from Milwaukee is nothing more than a convenient excuse for 12 to delay having to comply and because they save the expense of broadcasting a digital signal, it actually ends up being an incentive... this new deadline just lets them know exactly how much they'll be able to save...

[This message has been edited by Tom Snyder (edited 05-17-2002).]

[SugarRay]

Does it matter what the FCC does?  If stations are only going to broadcast HD at low power levels and cable and Satellite are not going to offer much programming then what are we to do... Put up a massive roof antenna and hope for the best?  Doesn't sound very practicle or worth the investment in the TV for most of the people.

(sorry for the frustration)

[Kevin Arnold]

The FCC and broadcasters will inadvertantly cause the abortion of the HD revolution. By playing cheap and coy, they've guranteed that the average consumer will find it too difficult to get into digital TV because of reception and configuration issues. So they'll outsmart themselves and make sure that they'll never make any money off digital. They can write off the equipment and wait for the backlash from Congress when the expected monies from spectrum auction isn't there. It may represent a wise short term business strategy and an absolutely catostrophic long term strategy. This one may cost them dearly.

[This message has been edited by kjarnold (edited 05-17-2002).]