The FCC has announced a rural digital filing opportunity for low-power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations in the rural portions of the United States. Beginning August 25, 2009 the FCC will permit the filing of applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations in rural areas for major changes to existing analog and digital LPTV and TV translator facilities in those areas, and in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels. No applications for new analog facilities will be accepted. This filing opportunity will be subject to a geographic restriction and to first-come, first-served processing.
In addition, the FCC will begin accepting applications on a nationwide, first-come, first-served basis for new digital-only LPTV and TV translators stations for major modifications to existing analog and digital stations in these services, and in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels without geographic restriction on January 25, 2010. No applications for new analog facilities will be accepted.
The FCC reminded incumbent LPTV, TV translator and Class A television stations that they may file an application for on-channel digital conversion or flash-cut at any time. So that they may retain processing priority, the FCC encourages those incumbent stations that have not already done so to file their flash-cut applications prior to the commencement of first-come, first-served digital licensing.
The FCC also reminded applicants that additional adjustments in the facilities and assigned channels of full-power television broadcast stations may be required as the transition of that service to digital mode is optimized. These adjustments, the extent of which is not fully known at this time, could have an adverse impact, including displacement, on applicants filing under the procedures in the Public Notice.
For important details, view the Public Notice here. Details on the geographic restriction for the rural filing opportunity are in Appendix A at the end of the Public Notice.
