Changing channels: FCC releases national DTV list
October 23rd, 2006If you’re wondering where your local stations will land on the TV dial (even if, strictly speaking, there isn’t one anymore) following the digital transition, the FCC offers an answer. Federal regulators on Friday proposed channel assignments for stations throughout the country. After the shutdown of analog TV service in 2009, some stations will retain channel designations currently used for analog or digital service. Others will move to entirely new channels.
The channel assignments are generally intended to allow a station’s digital signal to reach an area comparable to that served by its existing analog signal. The FCC’s seven-step channel-election process, culminating in last week’s ruling, was also designed to minimize interference between channels. Channels 52 through 69 will no longer be used for TV broadcasts, allowing 108 MHz of spectrum to be reallocated to wireless communications and public-safety services.
The FCC invites public comment on its proposal, which includes a city-by-city list of stations and channels.
Earlier:
• 20 more stations get DTV channel numbers
• FCC issues list of digital TV channels
• Link: FCC notice, including proposed table of allotments [116-page pdf]