Pending Applications for New Analog Low Power Television and TV Translator Stations Must Be Amended to Specify Digital Operation

The FCC released a Public Notice today identifying several hundred pending applications for new analog LPTV or TV Translator stations that must be amended to specify digital operation. A copy of the FCC public notice is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-10-496A1.pdf. The Public Notice indicates that applications that are not amended will not be processed. The amendments must be filed electronically, along with a filing fee of $705.00 per application. Most of the listed applications were filed in a window held in 2000 and were filed in paper. The deadline to amend these applications is May 24, 2010.

The Public Notice states that this action is being taken in furtherance of the nationwide transition to digital television. However, the staff’s National Broadband Plan released last week urged the FCC to set a deadline by which all analog LPTV and TV Translator stations must convert to digital operation. This action appears to be a first step in that process. Accordingly, LPTV and TV Translator stations should be alert to the possibility of a further Public Notice establishing a similar transition requirement for existing stations.

Download: Pending Applications for New Analog Low Power Television and TV Translator Stations Must Be Amended to Specify Digital Operation