Last week the FCC released a Public Notice titled DTV Channel Election Information and Deadlines. The deadline for filing the first form in the DTV channel election process, FCC Form 381, is Nov. 5, 2005. In this form, broadcasters have to state their intention to build replication or maximization facilities and certify their FCC database entries.
The DTV Second Periodic Review Report and Order was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 4, 2004, thus setting the deadline for fully implementing the ATSC A/65B PSIP standard as Feb. 1, 2005 (120 days after publication). However, the revised rule section 73.1201 on DTV station identification requiring that DTV station identification use the major channel (analog channel) number only and requiring station identification at the same intervals set for analog TV has not yet been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The FCC expects to release another Public Notice in early 2005 announcing the effective date for the DTV station identification rules.
OMB approved forms 381, 382, 383, 384, 385 and 386 for use in the channel election process under the emergency processing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. These forms are available at www.fcc.gov/mb/cshlarc.html under the heading FCC Second Digital TV Periodic Review. Note that forms have to be filed electronically.
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