NAB SEEKS TO ‘STREAMLINE AND EXTEND’ DTV WAIVER PROCESS AT FCC
Meeting in Washington Wed., NAB TV board voted to act favorably on several proposals presented by staff designed to “streamline and extend” waiver process at FCC on transition to digital, rather than seek overall deadline extension. Board reportedly had “a great deal of discussion on a whole range of digital activities” involving Commission, Congress, set-makers and cable industry before unanimously approving resolution designed to help facilitate transition (CD June 14 p11).
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There had been much speculation that board would seek postponement of May 2002 FCC deadline for all stations to begin digital transmissions -- as recommended by outgoing Joint Board Chmn. James Yager and TV Chmn. Ben Tucker (CD June 14 p6). However, we're told, “the board was not enthusiastic about the idea of a blanket delay” and after discussion subject never came to a vote. Instead, board and staff plan to propose “new and innovative ideas” on transition and present them to regulators and legislators.
As part of total process, TV Dir. Michael McCarthy, head of NAB DTV Task Force, and NAB Senior Vp John Orlando will meet Wed. in Lake Tahoe with CEA officials on joint effort to educate public on digital transition (CD April 24 p3). That will be followed later this month by Washington meeting of DTV Task Force at which it expects to come up with “innovative ideas.” Main focus of total effort will be to extend waiver process for stations needing economic relief from FCC digital requirements and to “sell what’s doable” in Congress and at FCC.
Of major concern to NAB is for FCC to extend its cable must- carry requirement to digital transmissions while transition is under way. Among other NAB goals is requirement that all future TV sets have built-in DTV tuner (opposed by CEA) and FCC rules requiring cable interoperability. “Is some or all of this doable?” NAB dir. asked: “We intend to find out.”
On other issues, NAB vowed to intensify its fight against Senate-passed campaign reform bill that would require TV stations to charge any candidate same lowest unit charge (LUC) they charged any advertiser for full year. NAB now expects bill (see separate story) to reach House floor week after July 4th holiday without LUC provision -- but effort is expected to add it on floor. Radio rates currently aren’t included in reform bill, but if it becomes law, lobbyists are convinced audio industry will be added.