IBOC HD Radio Decision Finally Adopted by FCC

The FCC today adopted a decision on digital radio that does the following:

(1) HD operation will now be allowed without prior authority, even for dual antenna operations. Thus, no further need to apply for STAs for dual antenna operations.

(2) Nighttime AM HD operations are now authorized.

(3) HD operations by FM translators, FM boosters, and LPFMs are now authorized.

(4) The main channel of HD operations must simulcast the analog programming.

(5) HD2 and HD3 operations may proceed without prior authority. Thus, no need to apply for experimental authority for HD2 and HD3 operations.

(6) Broadcasters may lease HD2 and HD3 channels to third parties.

(7) There is no mandatory conversion schedule for HD broadcasting. Also, no exclusive digital only operations will be authorized at this time.

(8) The issue of whether there should be additional content control requirements (i.e. restrictions on the ability of receivers to archive programming) is deferred.

(9) The FCC is seeking further comment upon the amount of subscription services that may be run, and whether there should be additional public interest channels on the digital channels.

Once the Commission releases the Report and Order on this decision, more will be known about the nuances. For now, however, it is encouraging to see that AM HD nighttime broadcasting is authorized, that translators and LPFMs can broadcast an HD signal, and that the time-consuming requirements to file for STAs and for experimental authority for some HD broadcasting has been eliminated.