Published: TV Technology magazine

Issue: 18 May 98



Commission Extends Deadline for LPTV Applications



by  Joe Fedele





WASHINGTON

  On April 16 the FCC granted a request by the National Translator Association (NTA) to postpone its April 20 dead-

line for filing “DTV displacement relief” applications by licensees and permittees of low-power television (LPTV) and 

TV translator stations until June 1, 1998. 

  The relief effort was sought by LPTV operators faced with the possibility of losing their dial positions due to the mi-

gration of full-powered NTSC stations to their newly assigned DTV channels.

  Citing the need for more time to complete their applications, the NTA argued that “that these demands exceed the 

resources of the relatively small group of engineers who select the replacement channels and prepare the engineering 

specifications in the applications.”

  Some industry consultants agreed, noting that companies supplying some of the software used in those calculations 

needed more time to incorporate the new DTV allocation tables and changes into their products. George Harter, presi-

dent of Technical Services for Hardin & Associates, a broadcast and wireless communications consulting and engi-

neering firm, noted that as things stand now, some engineers “couldn’t even tell if there was a vacant channel” in some 

instances.

  Harter also insisted that broadcasters and consultants alike “did not have enough time for a complete analysis of the 

LPTV channels. The FCC just finalized the rules,” he added, pointing out that no one could expect absolute and accu-

rate data given the short time frame.

  In February, the commission adopted measures to help LPTV and TV translator operators that would lose their chan-

nels due to interference conflicts with DTV stations. The FCC gave those stations the opportunity to apply for re-

placement channels on a “first-come, first-serve” basis.

  Stations facing eventual eviction from the band were originally given a starting date of April 20 for filing their appli-

cations. 

  “There is a premium on filing applications on the initial filing date, because displacement applications are filed on a 

first-come basis and there will not likely be enough channels to accommodate all displaced stations,” stated the FCC.

  Two licensees of multiple LPTV stations opposed the request, stating that they had expended substantial efforts and 

resources to meet the April 20 initial filing date. But the ruling stands, giving LPTV licensees a few months of 

breathing room.