FCC To Allow Early Analog TV Signoffs

The FCC has approved new regulations enabling broadcasters to turn off analog television broadcasts before the February 17, 2009, digital TV transition date.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules that will enable U.S. television broadcasters to turn off their analog television channels before the mandated changeover to digital television on February 19, 2000. In a lengthy report and order (PDF), the FCC also outlined procedures for exceptions and service interruptions for stations building out new digital transmission facilities and transitioning to new services.

"The rules we adopt in this item attempt to provide broadcasters the flexibility they need while at the same time ensuring that any disruption to over-the-air viewers is minimized to the fullest extent possible," said FCC chair Kevin Martin, in a statement (PDF).

The new rules allow television broadcasters to switch off their analog television signals as much as 90 days before the mandated transition to digital television on February 19, 2009, without the prior approval of the FCC, so long as viewer notification requirements are met. Other rule changes enable stations to disrupt or shut off their analog broadcasts if such actions are necessary to transition their operations to digital; broadcasters can also switch to interim digital television facilities while they’re building out their own DTV studios, so long as the interim service can be received by at least 85 percent of the same population as the full, authorized facilities.

The FCC is trying to enable broadcasters to have a "phased transition" to digital television, but some have expressed frustration that the FCC has acted comparatively slowly in outlining the transition away from analog television. According to FCC commissioner Michael Copps (PDF), the FCC is considering conducting transition tests in one or more market in the U.S., before the nationwide transition deadline.

The government is mandating the switch-off of analog television to free up airwaves for other uses, including (possibly) high speed wireless broadband as well as improved communications for fire, police, and other emergency services. The deadline for the analog television switch-off is February 19, 2009; the government is offering up to two $40 coupons per household to purchase converter boxes that enable non-digital televisions to display over-the-air digital television broadcasts.