Sinclair Comments on the Pentagon's Jurisdictional Concerns Over DTV Modulation Standard

HUNT VALLEY, Md., Jan. 14 -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI - news) today commented on the statement by the Department of Defense (``DOD'') that it has clarified jurisdictional responsibilities between DOD and the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'') regarding the commercial digital television (``DTV'') modulation standard. Pentagon officials stated that the DOD has no further comments on the commercial DTV modulation debate that has pitted a minority of consumer electronics manufacturers against the nation's television broadcasters.
"The DOD's jurisdictional decision does not change the dynamics of the debate that 8VSB fails to provide reception equivalency of the current NTSC standard and therefore jeopardizes the future of over-the-air television as a business," stated Nat Ostroff, Vice President of New Technology. Ostroff further commented, "The Pentagon's continued scrutiny of U.S. DTV developments is shared by hundreds of television stations and other interested parties and underscores the importance of adopting a system that supports a variety of needs.'' Ostroff noted that the failure of the current 8VSB standard to deliver a robust and ubiquitous signal means that DOD will not have the option of using commercial-off-the-shelf equipment for its own broadcast needs.
"Broadcasters agree with the DOD that ease of reception by portable, mobile and stationary devices is crucial to the success of digital broadcasting,'' stated Mark Hyman, Vice President of Corporate Relations. Hyman continued, "The Defense Department's preference for a single world standard to ensure interoperability abroad makes a great deal of sense, but has less significance for U.S. broadcasters. However, this jurisdictional divide only strengthens the need to review this entire issue in an open forum by placing the Sinclair petition on public notice for comment.''