Barry Willis

Broadcasters will have an easier task ahead of them when it comes time to make the permanent change to digital, thanks to a recent decision by the <A HRF="http://www.fcc.gov">Federal Communications Commission</A> (FCC).

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Powell has asked major networks to boost their digital programming to at least 50% of their prime-time schedules for next season. He asked broadcasters in major markets to make sure they can transmit digitally by next January without degrading their analog signals. He also asked electronics manufacturers to include digital tuners in coming generations of television sets&mdash;in 36" or larger sets by 2005, in 25" or larger sets by 2006, and in 13" or larger sets by 2007. Tuner requirements have been contested by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which claims that it does not want TV design to be "dictated by Washington."

A "land rush" of "big-ticket deals" is about to sweep through the TV broadcasting industry in the wake of a <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">Federal Communications Commission</A> decision on August 5 to lift the limit on station ownership by any one broadcaster. Commissioners voted 4-1 for the change. Feeling the heat from satellite services and cable systems, broadcasters have been applying heavy pressure on the FCC to change the rules, established in the 1930s, that limit station ownership to one per company in any single geographic area. The rules were originally intended to ensure diversity of programming and editorial content.

Television broadcasters could soon legally own and operate multiple stations within one market, under regulations being considered by the <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">Federal Communications Commission</A>. At present, FCC rules allow only one station per owner per market (a market being defined as a geographical area within transmitter range). The proposed changes were submitted for review by the FCC's Mass Media Bureau to the commissioners on Monday, July 19.