[SBE] Proposed Analog Shutoff Extention

[Bill Whitt]

We were going to do this exact thing - shut off our full power early. The
main reason was so I can scrap it - to keep some of our other low power
analog stuff going. As fate would have it - once my GM heard of this - we
put the brakes on the early conversion. The stipulation to doing this is -
according to our FCC lawyer was you had to give 30 days' notice. On the day
you have designated to switch - you have to switch - no if's, and's, or
but's. If you didn't - STA's would have to filed immediately.

This is my 2 cents worth.

So as it stands now, you only have 2 days to do this. Otherwise you are
waiting till Feb. 17th.

Bill Whitt

-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of Gary
Blievernicht
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:53 AM
To: sbe member discussion mail list
Subject: Re: [SBE] Proposed Analog Shutoff Extention

There is a specified procedure to do this, it is not just send them a
letter.  There is a public information campaign as well.  Notice to the FCC
has to be at least 30 days before and public information campaign has to
begin 30 days before as well.  

 This is from the FCC''s 3rd Report & Order regarding DTV Conversion.

> 

> 4.Service Reductions or Terminations 90 Days Before the Transition Date

> 

> 133.As an exception to the approval process described above for permanent 

> service reductions and terminations,  we instead adopt a streamlined 

> notification procedure for stations planning a permanent service reduction

or 

> termination (analog or digital) within 90 days of the February 17, 2009, 

> transition date (i.e., beginning on or after November 19, 2008).  We find 

> that a more relaxed notification procedure is more appropriate than the 

> approval process established above to provide stations with additional 

> flexibility as we approach the transition date.   As discussed in detail 

> above,  the record amply favors affording stations this additional 

> flexibility so close to the end of the transition.  Therefore, we will

permit 

> a station to reduce or terminate its analog or digital service within 90

days 

> before the transition date by filing a notification with the Commission.

The 

> notification must be filed 30 days in advance of the planned service 

> reduction or termination and must include a showing that the service 

> reduction or termination is necessary for purposes of the transition.  

> Although we will not require prior Commission approval, stations must

notify 

> their viewers on their pre-transition channel(s) (analog and digital)

about 

> the planned service reduction or termination and inform them about how

they 

> can continue to receive the station.  Like the Section 73.1615

notifications, 

> stations must file these notifications electronically through the CDBS

using 

> the Informal Application filing form.  

> 

> 134.Viewer Notification.  We will require stations filing a notification 

> with the Commission regarding permanent reduction or termination within 90



> days of the transition date to notify their viewers on their

pre-transition 

> channel(s) (both analog and digital) about the early service reduction or 

> termination and inform them about how they can continue to receive the 

> station.   Such notifications must occur every day on-air at least four

times 

> a day including at least once in primetime for the 30-day period prior to

the 

> planned service reduction or termination.  These notifications must

include: 

> (1) the stations call sign and community of license; (2) the fact that the



> station is planning to or has reduced or terminated its analog or 

> pre-transition digital operations before the transition date; (3) the date

of 

> the planned reduction or termination; (4) what viewers can do to continue

to 

> receive the station, i.e., how and when the stations digital signal can be



> received;  (5) information about the availability of digital- to-analog 

> converter boxes in their service area; and (6) the street address, email 

> address (if available), and phone number of the station where viewers may 

> register comments or request information.  We note that these viewer 

> notifications are in addition to, and separate from, any notification 

> requirements that we may adopt pursuant to our DTV Consumer Education 

> Initiative. 

> 

> 



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