What Is Sinclair's Next Move?

 

 

WHAT IS SINCLAIR'S NEXT MOVE

by Dale Cripps
Monday, February 7, 2000

Alsea, OR--February 7, 2000--
What is Sinclair's next move? That is what everyone is asking. In a letter to their Washington attorneys last Friday the FCC denied Sinclair's petition for the inclusion of COFDM in the digital broadcast standard. They offered, however, that they would revisit the entire DTV transition and technology in their biannual review, the first of which is due to begin in little over one month from now. Will Sinclair accept the letter as final--let it stand as the end of their long campaign? Will they accept the improvements made in the 8-VSB receivers--something they have provoked? Will they bask in the praise that a "grateful" industry may shower on them for bringing shortcomings in receiver quality to light? Or, will they ratchet up their fight for COFDM inclusion by taking it to the highest parts of the Federal Government?

Mark Aitken from Sinclair's Advanced Technology Group said today to HDTV News Online, "We are gearing up. Our visit to Capital Hill last week is just a start." On Wednesday, February 2nd, Sinclair conducted a side-by-side demonstration of 8-VSB and NTSC reception in selected areas throughout Washington, D.C. Sinclair wanted to show Congressional staffers that the service area of NTSC is not being replicated by 8-VSB, as was the central criteria established by the Advisory Committee On Advanced Television Services. (ACATS).

Aitken further said, "We will drive home the needs of digital TV to every member of the House and Senate! The 60 plus representatives and staffers we spoke to, and who saw the demo, are absolutely amazed that this (ATSC) is what we have been handed for a replacement of NTSC. HDTV News will contact as many of the representatives as we can this week for verification of their reactions.

" The issue is much bigger than the modulation issue, and that will become VERY clear," concluded Mr. Aitken.

Sinclair's president, David Smith said in their news release today, " Although the Commission dismissed our petition, we welcome their larger interest and intent to investigate all aspects of DTV and its fundamental failure to date. Further, we are hopeful that our continuing efforts to shed light on the relevant DTV issues affecting our industry can now be supported by the industry as a whole. We look forward to participating in this review which the Commission committed to begin within 30 days."

The FCC has committed to conduct a thorough review of the DTV standard beginning in about one month's time. The Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV), who last week sent their endorsement of 8-VSB to the FCC, but included in their endorsement a demand for DTV receiver standards, something the NAB has been asking for and CEA members resisting. The ATSC has begun a process for determining just how receiver standards setting can be done. Who would be the enforcer of any receiver standards remains a paramount question. Nat Ostroff, VP of New Technology points to MSTV's statement that the "implementation of the standard by receiver and chip manufacturers has been inadequate." Ostroff, one of the key driving forces in the transmission issue, said that Sinclair has also accepted an offer by the FCC's Office of Engineering Technology (OET) to participate in comprehensive DTV receiver tests and "will work with OET and other interested organizations in developing minimum standards for robust indoor antenna reception using simple antennas." He said by Email to HDTV News, "Now the receiver manufacturers will have to say what they can do and when they will do it. Sinclair will be right there to hold their feet to the DTV fire."

In a related story today it was reported that the Clinton administration is once more seeking from broadcasters payment of $200 million for continued use of the analog spectrum while they convert to digital services. If enacted, this would act to put painful pressure on the transition time-table. The fees are included in President Clinton's budget plan, which the White House released Monday. Last year Clinton proposed the fees, which Congress removed. The Clinton administration would use the money to offset other pet projects, such as justice and education initiatives. Broadcasters and leading Republicans immediately opposed the plan: "The Clinton administration proposal would jeopardize a public-private partnership between government and free, over-the-air local broadcasters that dates back to the 1934 Communications Act," said NAB President Eddie Fritts.

"Since rigor mortis has set in from last year, it's going to be difficult for the president to resurrect this tired old idea," said Ken Johnson, spokesman for House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.). "We have an understanding with broadcasters that if any part of the spectrum is used for anything other than free, over-the-air television, then there will be a quid pro quo. The bottom line is that Billy's not going to reneg on the deal."

What does all of this mean to manufacturers who must plan ahead? "Throughout the past several months manufacturers shuddered alone while the FCC did nothing on the Sinclair petition," offered a highly sympathetic voice within CEA. "Given the lack of broadcaster calls to dismiss the petition--indeed there was quite the opposite with there being something between silence and support of Sinclair by many broadcasters--product decisions had to be made, sets made and marketing plans set. How they could plan and invest with all this uncertainty this past several months is totally beyond me!"

With these pronouncements the next chapter in the COFDM VS. 8-VSB saga opens now in deadly earnest. Stay tuned.

Dale Cripps 2/7/2000