http://www.tvinsite.com/broadcasting...y=breakingNews
TV stations that can’t justify missing the May 1 digital launch deadline will have an extra six months before facing substantial penalty from the FCC.
Thursday the commission approved procedures for fining or even stripping permits of DTV laggards, but these toughest measures won’t be used right away.
'Our goal isn’t to punish people, but to achieve the goal of getting programming out there,' said Barbara Kreisman, chief of the Media Bureau’s video services division.
Stations that can justify delays based on technical problems, delays in scheduling construction crews, zoning fights or inability to obtain financing are allowed up to two six-month waivers.
Those denied waivers are will be sent a letter of admonishment and required to report regularly on their progress bringing DTV online.
Admonished stations that fail to go digital within six months of the reprimand will be issued a notice of apparent liability for fines and required to meet a series of 30-day construction milestones.
If a station fails to offer a digital signal a year after admonishment, the FCC will revoke its construction permit.
The procedures were floated as proposed rules but will go into affect immediately on a case-by-case basis until they become permanent. The commission tentatively concluded that channels confiscated from cancelled construction permits will be reauctioned.
National Association of Broadcasters officials Thursday said the sanctions appeared reasonable.
'We believe the vast majority of broadcasters will work aggressively to meet the 'DTV plan put forth today as evidenced by the fact that Harris Corp. has 700 transmitters on order right now,' said NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton