FCC officials last week said that the agency is again considering whether to split its decision over cable's carriage of digital broadcast signals into two proceedings.(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, December, 1999

FCC officials last week said that the agency is again considering whether to split its decision over cable's carriage of digital broadcast signals into two proceedings. If the FCC chooses to split the issue, it will rule on less controversial issues such as procedures for digital retransmission consent agreements early next year.

The incendiary part of the ruling, whether cable systems must carry both the digital and analog signals of digital broadcasters during the DTV transition, would be decided when broadcasters' digital business plans are more apparent. FCC officials predict that the agency will face a court challenge no matter which way it goes on this controversial topic, and acknowledge that they are having a difficult time deciding the right way to go.