Washington--A House bill
to postpone the digital TV transition until June 12 is likely to include language
designed to protect rural areas from the possible loss of over-the-air service.
House
Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) is expected to
add the rural TV service language when the panel meets at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to
debate the DTV delay bill.
At
the request of Rep. Zack Space (D-Oh.), Waxman's manager's amendment is likely to include
provisions that would require the
Federal Communications Commission to study the impact of the DTV
transition on rural communities, including whether rural viewers lost service
due to the shorter range of digital TV signals.
Under Space's language, the FCC would also need to propose
to Congress potential remedies to restore TV service in areas that can't
receive stations that they did before the transition.
