Published: TV Technology magazine

Issue: 9 March 98



(side bar to Old Ideas Bring Relief to Stations - published same issue)



Viacom Achieves Partial Victory in FCC Decision			



By - Joe Fedele



In August of last year Viacom, a group owner of 11 television stations, filed a petition for 

partial reconsideration of the FCC’s 6th Report and Order which sought to raise the 

minimum power levels for all DTV UHF stations from 50 kW to 250 kW.  



As part of the February 18th release of the new DTV Table of Allotments and in a move 

viewed by some as tacit agreement with Viacom’s position, the FCC proposed to increase 

minimum power levels to 200 kW.  While slightly short of the Viacom request, the 6 dB 

difference in signal strength drew a sign of relief by many who agreed with the Viacom 

position.



But the FCC remained firm in their commitment to minimizing interference to the 2% level 

unless the effected station already experiences interference to 10% or more of its 

population.  Then, and only then, would the increase to 200 kW be allowed.



Viacom’s attempt to equalize UHF station coverage contours with their VHF competitors 

also failed to draw a positive response from the FCC.  The new allotment table allows for 

power increases as high as 1,000 kW (provided that tilt beam antennas are employed) 

but the Commission was quick to point out that such increases could only radiate a higher 

signal strength “within their [existing] service area.”  This effectively limits each DTV 

station to their existing contours.