This week's RF Report DTV Station Status shows 266 applications for final DTV facilities are still pending. Most of these applications are for power increases or other changes that would improve DTV coverage and reduce viewer complaints when analog is shut off, so the FCC has an incentive to get these applications approved in time for stations to build them before the June 12 analog shutdown.
Some of the applications filed when the FCC lifted the freeze on maximizing coverage on May 30, 2008 were mutually exclusive with other applications filed on or before the June 20, 2008 cut-off date. In Public Notice DA 09-760 released last Friday, the FCC lists four groups of two stations each with mutually exclusive applications. The applications from these eight stations were granted, with the condition they resolve their mutual exclusivity with the other station in their group through minor technical amendments or interference consent agreements within 30 days. The Public Notice states, "Technical amendments submitted by stations must be minor, as defined by applicable rules, and must not create new mutual exclusivity or application conflict." If the stations do not resolve the mutual exclusivity, both construction permits will be canceled and the stations will have to file new applications."
Stations listed in the public notice are WCTE-DT and WPXK-DT (Group 1); KLTV-DT and WFAA-DT (Group 2); KCCO-DT and KJRR-DT (Group 3); and KLTL-DT and KFDM-DT (Group 4).
