B'casters unfazed by spectrum deadline

[Gregg Lengling]

B'casters unfazed by spectrum deadline


Broadcasting & Cable
10/28/2002 11:13:00 AM
   Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) may be talking tough about imposing a hard 2006 deadline for reclaiming TV stations' analog spectrum, but the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman's threat isn't panicking broadcasters.

"Chairman Tauzin is wedded to a date certain," and 2006 will be that date in digital-TV legislation introduced next year, aide Jessica Wallace told an Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) crowd last week.

But the idea is opposed by many committee members -- fearing a consumer backlash -- and other staffers said the give-back deadline will move back.

If it doesn't, broadcast trade groups are expected to let Tauzin take any consumer heat for consigning 300 million sets, VCRs and other TV appliances to the junk pile.

"It's not our issue," one lobbyist said. "We're already facing digital-service deadlines. We'll let him deal with the fallout if he wants to cut off analog service."