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The FCC voted to allow satellite companies to phase in a requirement that they carry all HD signals in any market where they carry any after the February 17, 2009 digital switchover. It also ruled that DirecTV's and Dish Network's requirement to carry all TV stations in a market where they carry any extends to DTV signals just as it applies to analog TV stations.
Satellite broadcasters have four years to phase in local stations' HD signals. According to the schedule, they must carry these signals in 15% of the markets in which they carry any HD signals by February 17, 2010, 30% of those by February 17, 2011, 60% by February 17, 2012, and 100% by February 17, 2013.
The FCC says that this move is an effort to extend post-DTV viewability to satellite comparable to those it imposed on cable. Cable has a dual-carriage requirement that kicks in on February 17, 2009. This move also preserves existing service and helps ensure a smooth digital transition to over 30 million satellite TV homes in 2009.
Source: Broadcasting & Cable, 03/27/2008
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