FCC Releases Compliance Guide for Class A, LPTV & Translator Stations

Over the past year or so, the Commission adopted changes to its rules to ensure that the LPTV Service continues to flourish and serve the public interest long into the future.  To help stations, it has released a guide to help stations comply with the new rules.

Many of the changes involve technical updates. The guide highlights changes to the LPTV and TV translator rules and includes:

1. Updating how the relocation distance measurement is calculated for displaced LPTV/TV translators and LPTV Service channel sharing stations

2. Establishing a uniform maximum relocation distance for minor modifications

3. Establishing a formal method for LPTV Service stations to specify a community of license

4. Requiring LPTV Service stations to utilize a call sign that matches their service designation

5. Establishing a process for LPTV Service stations to formally change their service designation

6. Making clear what EAS equipment must be installed by LPTV stations

7. Clarifying the video program responsibilities of LPTV stations

8. Revising the displacement rule to more clearly enumerate the circumstances that qualify a LPTV/TV translator station for displacement

9. Making other revisions to our technical rules that are intended to streamline current processes, prevent interference, reduce burdens, and ensure that all applicants and licensees are treated equally

According to the Commission it, “Also revised the rules to clarify the manner in which LPTV, Class A and

TV translator channel sharing stations may apply for a new, non-shared channel."

You can access the Class A LPTV & Translator Compliance Guide here.