Friday, February 10, 2012

FCC Releases Two DTV Reports

December 23, 2008

The FCC released a pair of reports Tuesday that show changes in the coverage of the nation's full-power television stations as they prepare to transition from analog to digital broadcasting on Feb. 17, 2009. The commission initiated the side-by-side comparison to identify the changes associated with the switch to digital broadcasting by TV stations and share the information with viewers nationwide. The FCC also announced it would hold an open meeting via conference call on Dec. 30 but did not say what would be on the agenda.

The first report, which provides maps showing the analog and digital coverage areas for each of the 1,749 full-power TV stations in the United States, found that approximately 89 percent of stations (1,553 stations) will experience an overall net gain in the population that can receive their signals. About 11 percent of stations (196 stations) will have an overall net loss in television viewers. The paper includes a separate map showing the predicted coverage areas for every station and shows the areas of gain or loss.

The second report contains maps and other information for the 319 stations where more than two percent of the population covered by their analog service will not be covered by their digital service. The population losses shown on the maps actually overstate the loss as it includes people who currently receive TV service via cable or satellite, the FCC said. Roughly 11 percent (or 196) stations are predicted to experience some existing population coverage loss of two percent or more.

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Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.


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Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.