FCC REJECTS WIDENED MUST-CARRY RIGHTS FOR LPTV
Low-power TV (LPTV) stations that qualify as Class A stations protected from interference don’t have same must-carry status as full-power broadcasters, FCC said in order on reconsideration of Class A rules adopted year ago. Commission rejected claims that congressional Class A legislation intended to give Class A stations must-carry, saying Congress was silent on issue. It said, however, that Class A stations would continue to have same carriage rights as LPTV stations.
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Decision also clarified procedures when full-power DTV station wants to maximize its service area, potentially interfering with Class A station. Commission said DTV station must show that adjustment was technically necessary, but said station didn’t have to prove it was only option. However, FCC did say stations could be required to offset their signal by 10 kHz in order to reduce interference.
FCC narrowed its definition of locally produced programming that qualified station for Class A status. Among other things, it said programming must be produced at commonly owned station with physically contiguous grade B contour. It rejected request that it require that local programming address interests of local community “in any specific manner.” Commission also refused to exempt Class A stations from main studio requirements of full- power broadcasters, saying there was need for “a local responsive presence” of station management. It did say main studio for group of commonly controlled and contiguous stations could be within contour of any of stations.
In other decisions: (1) FCC said Class A stations that converted to DTV would have same rights as full-power broadcasters to offer ancillary telecom and other data services. However, it said such services would be subject to same fees as full-power stations. (2) FCC declined to change criteria for stations that are protected from Class A interference.