FCC Gives Thumbs Up to Translator TV Stations
Wednesday May 13, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a press release on May 11 detailing a translator program intended to help broadcasters maintain service after the digital transition.
The translator topic is of importance to viewers because a lot of people could lose broadcast service when full power stations drop the analog signal. Without these translators, free TV would be gone for some people.
According to the FCC, broadcasters use a translator to "fill in parts of their service areas that are not receiving service due to terrain, engineering or other limitations."
The FCC reports that a total of 20 translators have been requested by fourteen stations. Under the program, broadcasters are unable to increase their viewing area and must operate on channels 2 through 51.
The FCC pointed out another benefit of translators - the ability to restore a service should something happen to the main towers.