Response from FCC for my Fox6 Complaint

[Gregg Lengling]

Here's the cookie cutter response....apparently they don't understand complaints or don't know the rules themselves...here's what they sent me. (Yeah I know...just look at the dates...nothing new.)
Quote:

Reference:TLEAD3, ID# 02685532

The following is the information you requested from the FCC Consumer
Center.  Thank you for your inquiry.
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                        FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554


 NEWS Report No. MM 97-8      MASS MEDIA ACTION               April 3, 1997


            COMMISSION ADOPTS RULES FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION SERVICE
                            (MM DOCKET NO. 87-268)
                                           
                                           
        The FCC today concluded its proceedings on digital television.  
        The Fifth Report and Order, adopted today, lays the
        groundwork for introducing digital television (DTV) to the
        American people.  DTV allows delivery to consumers of brilliant,
        high definition pictures, multiple digital-quality program
        streams, as well as CD-quali audio programming and advanced
        digital services, such as data transfer or subscription
        video.
             
        In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress directed the
        Commission to issue licenses for digital television to incumbent
        television broadcasters.  These licenses permit temporary use of
        the additional channel and are conditioned upon the return of
        one channel at the end of the transition period.

        The overarching goal in this proceeding is to provide for
        the success of free, local digital broadcast television.  To
        bolster DTV's chance for success, the Commission's decisions
        today allow broadcasters to use their channels according to their
        best business judgment, as long as they continue to offer free
        programming on which the public has come to rely.  Specifically,
        broadcasters must provide  a free digital video programming
        service that is at least comparable in resolution to today's
        service and aired during the same time periods as today's analog
        service.  The Commission will not require broadcasters to air
        "high definition" programming or initially to simulcast their
        analog programming on the digital channel.  

        Broadcasters will be able to put together whatever package of
        digital product they believe will best attract customers and to
        develop partnerships with others to help make the most productive
        and efficient use of their channels.  These services could
        include data transfer, subscription video, interactive materials,
        audio signals, and whatever other innovations broadcasters can
        promote and profit from.  Giving broadcasters the flexibility in
        their use of their digital channel will allow them to put
        together the best mix of services and programming to stimulate
        consumer acceptance of digital technology and the purchase of
        digital receivers.  
       
        The Commission requires the affiliates of the top four
        networks in the top 10 markets to be on the air with a digital
        signal by May 1, 1999.  Affiliates of the top four networks in
        markets 11 - 30 must be on the air by November 1, 1999.  The top
        ten markets include 30% of television households.  The top  30
        markets include 53% of television households.  Nearly 40% of
        televisions are sold during the fourth quarter of every year.  

        A number of broadcasters in the top ten markets consisting
        of 30 percent of American households have committed to begin
        digital operations within 18 months.  In adopting its
        construction requirements, the Commission relies on these
        commitments.
               
        The Commission stated that it would grant extensions where a
        licensee has been unable to meet the requirement due to
        circumstances that are either unforeseeable or beyond the
        licensee's control, where the licensee has taken all
        reasonable steps to resolve the problem expeditiously.
         
        While digital technology will change the nature of
        television, broadcasters remain public trustees, whether they
        use analog or digital technology.  In the Telecommunications
        Act of 1996, Congress clearly provided that broadcasters' public
        interest obligations extend to the digital environment.   The
        Commission stated that, at an appropriate time, it will issue a
        Notice to collect and consider all views on how broadcasters'
        public interest obligations.   It placed broadcasters on notice
        that existing public interest requirements continue to apply to
        all licensees, that the Commission may adopt new public interest
        rules, and that nothing is foreclosed from the Commission's
        consideration.  

        An important goal in this proceeding is the return of the
        analog spectrum at the end of the DTV transition period.  The
        Commission has set a target of 2006 as a reasonable end-date
        for NTSC service.  The Commission will review that date in its
        periodic reviews, which will be conducted every two years to
        allow evaluation of the progress of DTV and changes in
        Commission rules, if necessary.
         

             Action by the Commission April 3, 1997, by Fifth Report and
        Order (FCC 97-116).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello and Ness,
        with Commissioner Chong concurring in part and issuing a separate
        statement, and Chairman Hundt and Commissioners Quello, Ness
        and Chong issuing separate statements.

                                   
                                    -FCC-

        News Media contacts: David Fiske at (202) 418-0500.  
        Mass Media Bureau contacts:   Mania K. Baghdadi  (202) 418-2133,
        Dan Bring (202) 418-2164, and Gordon Godfrey (202) 418-2193.
             

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