FCC: Wilmington Stations Can Go Analog in Emergency
No loopholes available for stations making DTV switch Feb. 17, 2009.
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/19/2008 7:58:00 AM
The Federal Communications Commission said Monday that the Wilmington, N.C., stations pulling the plug early on analog TV broadcasts (Sept. 8) can elect to continue to broadcast news and information on their analog channels, as well, in the event of a hurricane or other emergency.
Wilmington is on the North Carolina coast.
The noncommercial station serving Wilmington, WUNC, is not making the early conversion, having cited the possibility of emergency information as one reason for not doing so.
The commission made it clear that the option to continue broadcasting in analog was only because the stations were voluntarily making the switch early, rather than on the Feb. 17, 2009, date that the FCC said gives stations no analog wiggle room, emergency or not.
"Stations that are transitioning on Feb. 17, 2009, will not be able to retain analog signals for any purpose, including emergency broadcasts," the FCC said in clarifying the situation. That's because the analog-cutoff date was established by Congress.
Also unlike Feb. 17, 2009, the Wilmington stations will be broadcasting analog after Sept. 8 even if there is no emergency, at least through the end of September, the FCC said.
That analog signal will carry a graphic with the following message: "At noon on Sept. 8, 2008, commercial television stations in Wilmington, N.C., began to broadcast programming exclusively in a digital format. If you are viewing this message, this television set has not yet been upgraded to digital. To receive your television signals, upgrade to digital now with a converter box, a new TV set with a digital (ATSC) tuner or by subscribing to a pay service like cable or satellite. For more information call: 1-877-DTV-0908 or TTY: 1-866-644-0908 or visit [dedicated Web site].”
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(1) No, the border stations do not have permission to continue
broadcasting analog. Yet. There's a bill pending in the House that only
involves stations on the Mexican border. It's already passed the
Senate. Only the Spanish speaking stations are in favor of it.
(2) Only a fool would count on TV during a real emergency. That's
what radio is for. If you think that makes TV expendable, then I guess
it's expendable.
(3) While you're wishing for this 2-year delay, be sure to wish for a
pony as well.
narkspud - 8/20/2008 2:43:00 PM EDT -
As Adam stated, perhaps the FCC should put the whole thing off another two years. You know, stations have only been simulcasting in digital for as much as 8 years. That surely is not enough time. Lets call the whole thing off until 2011.
Insider - 8/20/2008 11:58:00 AM EDT -
Mr. Post: Are you sure you're in "TV"? The medium sounds awfully expendable in your world view.
Adam Smith - 8/20/2008 11:49:00 AM EDT -
While I agree with most of what Adam said, it's not really a public safety issue. Radios are dirt cheap and when I've lived through hurricanes, including Hurricane Andrew the radio not the TV was the most important.
If TV went out, Americans could get all the info they need from radio
Eric Post - 8/20/2008 11:23:00 AM EDT -
DTV reception is a public safety issue -- and this will be just as true on the morning of Feb. 18, 2009, as it is today.
DTV cannot be reliably received by small, portable TVs. The signal goes down in a teeming rain. Has FCC done adequate signal propagation studies? How about awareness of the need for better antennas, and antenna aiming and tuning? And all this assumes that the public has purchased a DTV set, or a converter box.
The current transition seems to be predicated on a "wired" strategy: Most viewers have cable, fiber or satellite, so let OTA antenna-dependent users eat cake. Tens millions of people, the elderly, minorities, the technologically challenged, are going to be disenfranchised if the current deadline is not extended.
The Canadian deadline is Aug. 31, 2011. Already, border stations have permission to continue analog until then. Doesn't it make sense to continue analog service nationwide for another 2-1/2 years? Maybe by then, there will be portable DTV sets, and DTV audio-only radios, that can reliably receive a signal.
The public, the industry and government all are unprepared for the looming deadline less than six months off. This FCC decision proves it. Congress: avoid a true public safety issue and a huge embarrassment to the next administration by extending analog service by adopting the Canadian deadline.
And then, go back to the drawing board and get it right.
Adam Smith - 8/19/2008 12:42:00 PM EDT
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