DIGEST OF FCC PROPOSALS TO END TV FREEZE

(Final hearings scheduled to be held in September)

On July 11, the FCC issued a list of rules and standards concerning the allocation of stations in the v.h.f. and u.h.f. region. While only tentative and subject to change, pending the outcome of further hearings, the proposals as set forth in the FCC release are expected to be adopted substantially as released. The following are the major points listed.

1. In addition to the twelve v.h.f. six mc. channels already allocated (numbered 2 through 13), there will be added forty-two six mc. channels to be numbered consecutively, Channels 14 through 55.

2. Channel 14 will begin at approximately 470 mc. or 500 mc., depending upon what action is taken by the Commission with respect to the request of the Bell Telephone Laboratories for space in the u.h.f. band for a broad-band system of mobile communications.

3. Thirty-two of the additional channels will be used for metropolitan stations while the top ten will be reserved for community stations.

4. The engineering standards for all channels will remain as they are at present.

5. Consideration will be given to proposals for a change in transmission standards on Channels 2 through 55 looking toward color television or any other television system, provided:

    a. Such systems can operate in a six megacycle channel; and
    b. Existing television receivers will be able to receive signals under the new system simply by making relatively minor changes. 

6. Metropolitan stations will be authorized to operate within the following power limits with an antenna height of 500 feet.

    Channels    Minimum    Maximum
       2-6           10 kw.        100 kw.
      7-13          10 kw.        100 kw.
     14-55         10 kw.        200 kw. 

7. Wherever possible, co-channel separation for metropolitan stations on the v.h.f. band is 220 miles and adjacent channel separation, 110 miles. On the v.h.f. channels, the spacing is 200 miles for co-channel stations and 100 miles for adjacent channels. For community channels, the spacing is about 140 miles.

8. There is set forth a complete listing of the v.h.f. and u.h.f. channels allocated to cities throughout the United States. 1329 communities receive one or more v.h.f. channels. 207 communities receive one or more u.h.f. channels. Prior to these proposals, only 131 communities in the entire country were allocated television channels.

9. As a general rule, v.h.f. channels are assigned to large cities. U.h.f. channels go to smaller communities. In some places, however, both u.h.f. and v.h.f. channels are permitted.

10. It is the professed aim of the FCC:

    a. To provide at least one television service to all parts of the United States.
    b. To provide each community with at least one television broadcast station.
    c. To allocate the remaining unassigned channels to the various communities according to their size, geographical location, 
        and the number of television services available to them. 

11. The top fifty markets come out in the proposed new allocations, as follows:

   a. Twenty-five are to retain the same number of v.h.f. channels. These are:
        Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, 
        Milwaukee, New Haven, New Orleans, New York, Omaha, Portland, Ore., Providence, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, 
        Syracuse, Toledo, and Washington. 

   b. Boston, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Philadelphia, Norfolk-Newport News-Portsmouth area, Richmond, 
       and San Diego are to lose one v.h.f. channel. 

   c. Akron, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area, Lowell-Haverhill- Lawrence area, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area, Springfleld-Holyoke area,
      Youngstown, and Worcester are to lose the only single v.h.f. channel formerly allocated them. 

   d. Indianapolis, Hartford-New Britain area, Pittsburgh, and Rochester will lose two v.h.f. channels each. 

   e. Albany-Schenectady-Troy area will lose four v.h.f. channels. 

   f. St. Louis gains one v.h.f. channel. 

  g. Indianapolis, St. Paul, and Miami are to gain two v.h.f. channels. 

  h. U.h.f. channels will go to the following (in top fifty market areas): One each to Buffalo, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, 
      and Washington. Two each to Atlanta, Albany-Schenectady-Troy area, Allentown-Bethiehem-Easton area, Baltimore, Cincinnati, 
      Cleveland, Dayton, Detroit, Louisville, Lowell-Haverhill-Lawrence area, New Haven, Norfolk-Newport News-Portsmouth area, 
      Pittsburgh, Providence, Seattle, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area, Springfleld-Holyoke area, San Diego, Toledo, and Worcester. 
      Three each to Akron, Hartford-New Britain area, Richmond, Rochester, and Youngstown. 

   i .Balance of the top fifty areas (twenty) will remain solely v.h.f. 

Radio and Television News/October 1949.