FCC demands DTV progress report

All full-power TV stations that haven't completed construction of their DTV facilities must file a report with the FCC detailing what remains to be done and a timeline for accomplishing the work. 

The report is due Feb. 18. 2008 and must be filed electronically using Form 387, though the form has not been finalized.

The new reporting requirement was included in a lengthy report and order released by the FCC on New Year's Eve.

A general summary of the new requirements follows; TAB's FCC legal counsel will provide a detailed summary by next week.

Stations that will be using the same digital channel after the transition as they are now and already have a construction permit will have until May 18, 2008, to complete their facilities.

Stations that will be using the same channel, but don't yet have a construction permit will have until Aug. 18, 2008, to complete their digital facilities.

Stations that have to switch to a different digital channel after the transition date will have until the final DTV transition deadline, Feb. 17, 2009, to complete their facilities. 

These stations do not have to finish construction of pre-transition digital facilities. The FCC is providing stations some operational flexibility in a few circumstances.

Stations will be allowed to terminate or reduce their analog service to finish construction of digital facilities before the statutory cut-off under certain circumstances and conditions.

Stations that are moving to a different DTV channel may remain ?temporarily? on their pre-transition digital channel after the transition date so long as the stations maintain service and don't interfere with other stations.

Stations will be allowed to operate at less than full authorized power after the transition if they can demonstrate a ?unique technical challenge? and continue serving at least 85 percent of the homes in their coverage area.

Stations also will be allowed to operate at less than full power after the transition if they can prove a ?significant technical impediment? to construction and continue serving 100 percent of the homes in their current coverage area.  These stations will have to comply with stringent viewer notification requirements.