The Federal Communications Commission has been asked to extend to Aug. 9 a deadline for TV stations to shift to new frequencies for their “broadcast auxiliary operations,” which refers to the huge vans stations deploy for live broadcasts from remote locations.
The request for an extension was filed by Sprint Nextel, the Association for Maximum Service TV, the Society of Broadcast Engineers and the National Association of Broadcasters, all of whom cited a number of factors, including the weather, for delays.
Stations in 28 markets from Buffalo, N.Y., to Wausau, Wis., to Honolulu, reported delays in receiving, installing or configuring broadcast antenna for the vans, receiving antenna on the ground and other equipment needed to complete the process. A few stations said they didn’t want to perform the transition during the February “sweeps” period when TV ratings are taken that determine advertising rates.
News of the request for an extension was reported Feb. 10 on the Web site of the publication Television Broadcast.
