FCC in stalemate on digital carriage

[Gregg Lengling]

FCC commissioners appear deadlocked on broadcasters' digital-cable carriage rights. Only a few weeks ago, they seemed set on a rulemaking that rejected dual analog/digital carriage during the digital-TV transition, but they tentatively concluded that TV stations are entitled to carriage of all free channels, program guides and some other services they can shoehorn into a 6-megahertz channel.

FCC staffers wouldn't explain the delay, but industry sources said the split pits commissioners Michael Copps and Kevin Martin, who favor imposing full carriage rights now, against Michael Powell and Kathleen Abernathy, who oppose any mandate until the constitutionality of such a move is clear.
 


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net