Class A television service
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2021) |
The class A television service is a system for regulating some low-power
The FCC created this category of service as a result of the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999. Support for this ruling came largely from the Community Broadcasters Association, an industry group representing low-power TV station operators.[1]
Unlike traditional LPTV stations, class-A stations were given primary status during the
Requirements
In exchange for the added broadcast protections, class-A stations are required to be more responsible in covering the community they serve. Class-A stations must:
- Broadcast a minimum of 18 hours per day
- Broadcast an average of at least three hours per week of programming produced within the media market area served by the station
- Be in compliance with the Commission's requirements for both LPTV stations and full-power television stations
- Broadcast on a core frequency (channels 2 - 36)
- Broadcast the minimum required amount of Children's "E/I" core programming
- Be capable of airing Emergency Alert System broadcasts when/if the need arises
An LPTV station could also qualify for class-A status if it follows the FCC's "public interest, convenience, and necessity" standards.
Limitations
A class-A television station may obtain a license to broadcast digitally at not more than 15
Unlike full-service stations, class-A television stations are not subject to limits on
Despite the name of the
See also
- Low-power broadcasting
- List of broadcast station classes