*Pages 1--19 from Microsoft Word - 32564* Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) DTV Build- out ) ) Requests for Extension of the ) Digital Television Construction Deadline ) ) Commercial Television Stations ) With May 1, 2002 Deadline ) ORDER Adopted: October 16, 2003 Released: October 23, 2003 By the Commission: 1. The Commission has before it 141 applications submitted by commercial television stations seeking extensions of the May 1, 2002, deadline for construction of their digital television (DTV) facilities pursuant to Section 73.624( d)( 3)( iii) of the Rules. 1 The applications are unopposed. For the reasons set forth below, we grant the applications and extend the DTV construction deadline for 104 stations to six months from the release date of this Order. We admonish 7 stations for their continuing failure to timely construct, deny their applications, and afford them six months from the release date of this Order to comply with the DTV construction rule. The 7 stations will also be subject to the remedial measures for DTV construction we have previously adopted. 2 The DTV construction deadline for the remaining 30 “satellite” stations is deferred pending the outcome of the DTV periodic review proceeding. 3 I. Background 2. To further the rapid implementation of a nationwide system of DTV, we adopted in 1997 an aggressive DTV construction schedule. 4 We determined that television stations _______________________ 1 47 C. F. R. § 73.624( d)( iii). 2 See Remedial Measures For Failure to Comply with Digital Television Construction Schedule, Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 7174 (2003) (Remedial R& O). 3 A complete list of all stations granted six months extensions and the satellite stations is included in Appendix A to this Order. Those stations receiving admonishments are included in Appendix B. 4 See Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact Upon the Existing Television Broadcast Service, 12 FCC Rcd 12809 (1997) (Fifth Report and Order). 1 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 2 affiliated with the ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC television networks would be required to build DTV facilities in the ten largest television markets by May 1, 1999. Stations affiliated with these networks in television markets eleven through thirty were required to construct their DTV facilities by November 1, 1999. All other commercial stations were required to construct their DTV facilities by May 1, 2002, and all noncommercial stations were to have constructed their stations by May 1, 2003. 3. As of October 3, 2003, a total of 1,605 television stations in all markets (representing approximately 95% of all stations) have been granted a DTV construction permit or license. There are a total of 1,258 stations now on the air broadcasting a digital signal, 563 with licensed facilities or program test authority and 695 operating pursuant to special temporary authority (“ STA”) or experimental DTV authority (representing approximately 75% of all stations). 4. In the top thirty television markets, 115 of the 119 network- affiliated television stations are on the air in digital, 110 with licensed DTV facilities or program test authority and 5 with STAs. In markets 1- 10, of the 40 network affiliates due to be on the air by May 1, 1999, 38 are on the air with a digital signal. The remaining two were licensed and on the air prior to September 11, 2001, but are now off the air due to the attack on the World Trade Center. In markets 11- 30, 72 of 79 network affiliate stations required to be on the air by November 1, 1999, have constructed their licensed DTV facilities. Seventy- seven of these stations now are on the air. Three stations have been granted additional time to complete construction of their digital facilities. 5. There were 1,196 commercial television stations due to commence digital broadcasts by May 1, 2002. As of October 3, 2003, 946 of these stations are broadcasting a digital signal. In addition, 199 of 373 noncommercial educational television stations, who were due on the air May 1, 2003, are now airing digital broadcasts. 6. The commercial stations in this proceeding were required to construct their DTV facilities by May 1, 2002, and have been granted two previous extensions by the staff. Because these are the third extension requests by these stations, they must be considered by the Commission. 5 II. Discussion A. Extensions Based On Satellite Status 7. There are 30 stations seeking an extension that are “satellites.” Satellites are full power terrestrial broadcast stations authorized under Part 73 of the Rules to retransmit all or part of the programming of a parent station that typically is commonly owned. In the DTV Periodic NPRM, we requested comment on whether the public interest would be served by allowing such _______________________ 5 See 47 C. F. R. § 73.624( d)( iii). 2 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 3 stations to turn in their digital authorization and “flash cut” to DTV transmission at the end of the transition period. 6 In effect, this would relieve satellite stations of the requirement that they meet an earlier DTV construction deadline. 8. Given the pendency of the issue of DTV construction requirements for satellite stations, we defer the construction deadlines of the 30 satellites stations pending the outcome of the DTV periodic review proceeding. 7 B. Stations Granted Six Month Extensions 9. Stations Affected By the September 11 th Attack in New York City. A number of televisions stations were directly or indirectly affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in New York City. WWOR- DT, Secaucus, New Jersey had completed construction and begun operating its DTV facilities on the World Trade Center before those facilities were destroyed. 8 WPXN- DT, New York, New York, had intended to construct facilities on the World Trade Center. WXTV- DT, Patterson, New Jersey, planned to construct its facilities on the Empire State Building. Following the September 11 th attack, the owner of the Empire State Building informed WXTV- DT that it would not engage in further negotiations until it had completed plans to reconfigure the building’s transmission mast to accommodate former users of the World Trade Center. WXTV- DT has made progress on installation of its antenna on the Empire State Building but has met with some delays due to the large number of stations trying to install antennas on the building. 10. The September 11 th terrorist attack constitutes an uncontrollable and unforeseeable event warranting extension of DTV construction deadlines for the affected stations. We find that the stations affected by the September 11 th attack have taken reasonable steps to recover from that disaster and to complete construction of their DTV facilities. 11. Stations with Other Uncontrollable or Unforeseeable Delays. A number of stations have encountered unforeseen or uncontrollable delays concerning the construction of their DTV facilities including late delivery of equipment, unexpected equipment failures, natural disasters, and weather related delays. _______________________ 6 See Second Periodic Review of Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television, 18 FCC Rcd 1279, 1326 (2003) (DTV Periodic NPRM). 7 The satellite stations are denoted in Appendix A. 8 In addition, WWOR- DT has joined the Metropolitan Television Alliance, a group of stations that formerly had facilities on the World Trade Center and which now is seeking to construct a new multi- user tower. That proposal has met with a number of obstacles such as local zoning, environmental and air hazard concerns. The group continues to pursue suitable locations. 3 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 4 12. WLNE- DT, New Bedford, Massachusetts, has experienced construction delays outside of its control. Its proposed tower site will be a collocated tower that will be home to the DTV facilities of other stations in the market. The tower upgrade process is in the control of the tower owner who has experienced delays in the upgrade process. WLUC- DT, Marquette, Michigan, was ready to begin DTV operation at the end of July 2003 when its DTV transmitter failed. The station is in the process of making repairs so it may commence DTV broadcasts. 13. A number of stations were expecting to be on the air with their DTV facilities prior to their current deadline, but experienced unforeseeable and uncontrollable delays in the delivery or installation of their remaining DTV equipment. WJFB- DT, Lebanon, Tennessee, demonstrated that it had purchased its DTV transmitter and that its equipment supplier had confirmed its delivery. The equipment supplier subsequently did not deliver the transmitter and filed for bankruptcy. The station recently purchased a second transmitter from a new manufacturer and installation is underway. 14. A lightning strike delayed construction for KLWY- DT, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Two devastating typhoons have caused significant damage to the analog facilities of KUAM( TV), Hagatna, Guam. This, in turn, has delayed construction of the station’s DTV facilities. KBZK-DT, Bozeman, Montana, was unable to complete construction of its facilities because of snowfall at its mountain tower site. KSGW- DT, Sheridan, Wyoming; and WNYT- DT, Albany, New York also experienced winter weather related delays in construction. KDLH- DT, Duluth, Minnesota, was unable to complete construction because erratic weather patterns in Northern Minnesota delayed the scheduled delivery and installation of its DTV antenna. Construction of the DTV facilities for KGUN- DT, Tucson, Arizona, was delayed by a wildfire in the vicinity of its tower location. We find that, in each case, final construction of these stations’ DTV facilities was delayed due to circumstances beyond their control. Extension of their DTV construction deadlines is therefore warranted. 15. Stations with Local Construction or Siting Delays. A number of stations have experienced delays in the siting of their DTV facilities. KFVE- DT, Honolulu, Hawaii; KHNL-DT, Honolulu, Hawaii; KMAU- DT, Wailuku, Hawaii; and KOGG- DT, Wailuku, Hawaii; all cite to the fact that local ordinances have restricted their ability to construct a new tower structure. These stations have also faced “intense community opposition” to building a DTV tower at otherwise viable locations. As a result, these stations have been working with other local broadcasters in an attempt to build a single tower. The group has identified a possible site, but this location is limited by the nearby FCC monitoring station at Waipahu, Hawaii, inadequate electrical service, and environmental concerns. Despite this fact, the group is continuing to work on a final tower siting agreement for this proposed site. Once an agreement is finalized, they will prepare an environmental impact study to obtain the necessary approvals for the site. 16. KWGN- DT, Denver, Colorado is one of a number of Colorado television stations that have experienced delays siting new towers on Lookout Mountain near Denver due to local 4 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 5 opposition and zoning delays. KWGN- DT is currently awaiting Commission approval on a modification application that is opposed by a local citizens group. 17. KPXE- DT, Kansas City, Missouri; KMCC- DT, Laughlin, Nevada; WCAX- DT, Burlington, Vermont; and WTCV- DT, San Juan, Puerto; have experienced delays obtaining the necessary Federal or State approvals for their tower locations. WFGC- DT, Palm Beach, Florida, has been engaged in legal proceedings with a tower owner over the terms of its lease agreement. The station also experienced a delay due to unexpected wind loading problems. Lack of construction progress by the owner of the tower that was to be the location of the DTV facilities of WPXC- DT, Brunswick, Georgia, have caused the station to seek to construct a low power facility on its existing tower. 18. KDOC- DT, Anaheim, California, is a member of a consortium of stations seeking to construct a multi- user tower and antenna to be located on Mount Wilson, California. The consortium experienced an unforeseen technical problem with the proposed antenna that had to be reconfigured to increase replication. This required modifying the stations’ DTV construction permits. The consortium is working to resolve certain technical and legal issues surrounding the proposed modification. 19. KAPP- DT, Yakima, Washington, has completed construction but, as required by a condition on its construction permit, it must notify local land mobile operators and obtain Commission approval prior to commencing program test authority. The station has identified the land mobile operators in question and is conducting further tests to determine if actual interference will result from its operation on DTV Channel 14. 20. WVAG- DT, Valdosta, Georgia, has been unable to complete construction of its facilities due to local litigation that has created a cloud on its ownership. The station’s owner is continuing to litigate the matter so that it can resume construction of its facilities. 21. We recognize that the siting of DTV facilities remains a challenge for many broadcasters. Tower siting delays of the type outlined above qualify as uncontrollable and unforeseeable delays that warrant extension of these stations’ DTV construction deadlines. 22. Stations Awaiting Commission Action. A number of stations cite to ongoing matters before the Commission that have delayed their DTV construction plans. This includes pending (1) engineering modification applications and requests for Special Temporary Authority (STA), (2) channel change rulemaking proceedings, or (3) assignment applications. In each case, the station maintains that it cannot complete construction of its DTV facilities until the pending Commission matter is resolved. 23. The following stations are or were involved in rulemakings to change their DTV channel: KFTR- DT, Ontario, California 5 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 6 KJRR- DT, Jamestown, North Dakota KLTV- DT, Tyler, Texas KOLO- DT, Reno, Nevada KREM- DT, Spokane, Washington KSKN- DT, Spokane, Washington KSWO- DT, Lawton, Oklahoma KTRE- DT, Lufkin, Texas KTVQ- DT, Billings, Montana KUPN- DT, Sterling, Colorado KVTV- DT, Laredo, Texas KWES- DT, Odessa, Texas KXLF- DT, Butte, Montana WANE- DT, Fort Wayne, Indiana WBPH- DT, Bethleham, Pennsylvania WECT- DT, Wilmington, North Carolina WFGX- XT, Fort Walton Beach, Florida WJSU- DT, Anniston, Alabama WTOM- DT, Cheboygan, Wisconsin WTVA- DT, Tupelo, Mississippi Although some of these proceedings remain pending, some were recently completed and the stations are awaiting the grant of their post- rulemaking modification applications. 24. The following stations are either awaiting final processing on modification applications or requests for STA, or they only recently received a grant of a modification application and the station has had insufficient time to complete construction: KETY- DT, Santa Barbara, California KFTL- DT, Stockton, California KGWC- DT, Casper, Wyoming KLUZ- DT, Santa Monica, California KPXN- DT, San Bernardino, California KTAQ- DT, Greenville, Texas KTTU- DT, Tucson, Arizona KPXB- DT, Conroe, Texas WCFT- DT, Tuscaloosa, Alabama WCTV- DT, Thomasville, Georgia WGPX- DT, Burlington, North Carolina WGSA- DT, Baxley, Georgia WHTV- DT, Jackson, Michigan WKTV- DT, Utica, New Cork WLAJ- DT, Lansing, Michigan 6 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 7 WNTZ- DT, Natchez, Mississippi WPXL- DT, New Orleans, Louisiana WSFA- DT, Montgomery, Alabama WTAP- DT, Parkersburg, West Virginia WVIB- DT, Key West, Florida WVNS- DT, Lewisburg, West Virginia In some cases, applications were filed recently because the station discovered that changes need to be made to its proposed DTV facilities after it began construction. 25. Certain stations in Alaska (KFXF- DT, Fairbanks, Alaska; KJUD- DT, Juneau, Alaska; KATN- DT, Fairbanks, KIMO- DT, Anchorage, KTBY- DT, Anchorage, KTUU- DT, Anchorage and KTVA- DT, Anchorage) were members of a coalition that sought Commission approval for a comprehensive Master Plan that involved a complicated series of interrelated digital and analog channel changes. The coalition requested that the plan be dismissed in February 2003. The members have subsequently sought separate DTV channel changes in a rulemaking initiated on February 20, 2003. 26. KXGR- DT, Green Valley, Arizona, only recently received a grant of the license for its analog station. Until that action, the station claims that it was financially unable to commence construction of its DTV facilities. Furthermore, the station is awaiting action on an application to assign the station to another party. 9 The owner of WBAK- DT, Terre Haute, Indiana, states that it was forced to sell its station because of financial difficulties and that it is awaiting the grant of a pending assignment application. 10 27. The pendency of Commission proceedings is the type of matter outside of the control of a station that warrants allowing additional time for the construction of DTV facilities. The Commission staff has given priority processing to rulemakings and applications involving DTV stations, however, many of the above proceedings involve complicated technical issues (such as interference and international coordination) that must be resolved before they can be approved. We find that in each of the above cases the stations took the necessary steps to complete the Commission proceeding, but were unable to do so prior to their DTV construction deadline. 28. Financial Problems. In our DTV MO& O, we recognized that some stations may not be in the financial position to provide DTV service by the May 1, 2002, deadline. 11 We announced a policy of allowing stations to seek an extension to their DTV construction deadline _______________________ 9 See File No. BAPCT- 20020109AAR. 10 See File No. BALCT- 20030522AFE. 11 See Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television, 16 FCC Rcd 20594, 20610- 12 (2001) (DTV MO& O). 7 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 8 based upon the fact that the cost to construct their facility may exceed the station’s financial resources. A number of stations have sought extensions based upon their financial difficulties. 29. The owner of WBKP- DT, Calumet, Michigan, and WGTU- DT, Traverse City, Michigan, has continued to experience financial difficulties during the term of its last extensions. The owner has sold these stations to a new owner and the sale of WGTU- DT was recently approved by the Commission. The new owner is committed to completing construction of these stations’ DTV facilities. 30. Due to continued operating losses, KMTF- DT, Helena, Montana, was only able to order one- third of its equipment this year. KPVI- DT, Pocatello, Idaho; KXTF- DT, Twin Falls, Idaho; and KYUS- DT, Miles City, Montana, also experienced operating losses earlier this year that delayed their purchase of equipment. The stations have either ordered all or most of their DTV equipment and represent that they will complete construction as soon as the equipment is delivered. Because of a limited revenue stream, KTVH- DT, Helena, Montana, was only able to make an initial down payment on its DTV equipment this year. KXJB- DT, Valley City, North Dakota, only recently obtained financing and is moving forward to order equipment. 31. Due to financing documented restrictions imposed by its lender, the owner of WABG- DT, Greenwood, Mississippi; WAKA- DT, Selma, Alabama; WBAK- DT, Terre Haute, Indiana; WBBJ- DT, Jackson, Tennessee; and WRSP- DT, Springfield, Illinois, is allowed to spend only limited amounts each year for DTV construction. The owner is moving forward on the sale of WBAK- DT and with the construction of the other stations on a staggered timetable. 32. WRJM- DT, Troy, Alabama, was unable to complete construction because release of the final portion of its bank loan was delayed. Bank examiners prevented the bank from releasing the funds because of a problem with the bank’s lending limit. The station is continuing to take steps necessary to complete construction. 33. The owner of KSPR- DT, Springfield, Missouri; WJCL- DT, Savannah, Georgia; WFXI- DT, Morehead City, North Carolina; and WGXA- DT, Macon, Georgia, has also experienced financial difficulties that have prevented construction of the DTV facilities of these stations. The owner has previously proposed to complete construction of its DTV facilities on a staggered timetable. Since its last extension request, the owner has purchased the DTV transmitters for all its stations, completed construction of one of its DTV facilities and has slightly modified its construction schedule to propose construction of WJCL- DT at an earlier date. 34. WTLW- DT, Lima, Ohio, is a non- profit broadcaster that relies on viewer contributions for seventy percent of its annual funding. The station was unable to raise enough money to purchase its DTV antenna and is working to secure funds to purchase its DTV transmitter. WBUW- DT, Janesville, Wisconsin, and WHDF- DT, Florence, Alabama, are currently the subject of bankruptcy proceedings that severely restrict their ability to expend resources for DTV construction. 8 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 9 35. Because of the continued poor financial performance of the station, WENY, Elmira, New York, has had difficulty securing a lending source for its DTV construction. During the term of its last extension, the station finally secured a commitment from a lending source to consider its loan proposal. The station expects to receive approval on its construction loan in the fall of 2003 at which time it will be able to order its DTV equipment and begin construction. 36. We find that these stations have met the requirements for further extension of the DTV construction deadline as stations experiencing financial hardships. The stations have provided documentary evidence to establish that the “costs of meeting the minimum build- out requirements exceed the station’s financial resources.” 12 Despite these setbacks, the stations have taken steps to further their DTV construction. 37. Band- Clearing Proposals. Paxson Communications Corporation (Paxson) filed extension applications for two of its stations – WIPX- DT, Bloomington, Indiana; and WQPX-DT, Scranton, Pennsylvania. These stations have analog channels in the 60- 69 band which has been reallocated for use with new wireless services. 13 The Commission has adopted voluntary “band- clearing” mechanisms to facilitate the clearing of these channels. 14 The Commission has concluded that the public interest would be served by permitting incumbent broadcast licensees to move out of their “out of core” channel prior to the conclusion of the DTV transition period if the broadcaster’s proposal would not have an undue adverse effect on the public’s overall receipt of broadcast service. 15 38. Paxson has based its extension requests for these two stations on its band- clearing efforts. Paxson has a pending band- clearing application for WQPX- DT. Extension of the WQPX- DT construction permit is therefore justified. Paxson has not, however, filed a band-clearing application for WIPX- DT. In its extension request for WIPX- DT, Paxson states that it is continuing to rely on the Commission's band- clearing policies as justification for delaying construction of the station’s DTV facilities. We agree that it was reasonable for Paxson to rely on our band- clearing policies to this point. We will, therefore, grant Paxson a six- month _______________________ 12 Id. 13 The DTV channels for these stations are all within the “core” of channels 2- 51. 14 The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, 47 U. S. C. § 337( a), mandates that the Commission reallocate the 746- 806 MHz band for new wireless services. However, Congress also protected incumbent broadcast use in the band until the close of the DTV transition, 47 U. S. C. § 337( d). See Service Rules for the 746- 764 and 776- 794 MHz Bands, and Revisions to Part 27 of the Commission’s Rules; Carriage of the Transmissions of Digital Television Broadcast Stations; Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television; 15 FCC Rcd 20845 (2000); Third Report and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 2703 (2001); and Order on Reconsideration of the Third Report and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 21633 (2001), petition for reconsideration pending. 15 Id. In 2002, Congress passed the Auction Reform Act of 2002 (Auction Reform Act), which limits band- clearing proposals in certain circumstances. Stations must now meet the requirements of the ARA before the Commission may waive its rules to allow a band- clearing proposal. 9 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 10 extension for WIPX- DT. We caution, however, that further extension requests for WIPX- DT may not be based on the band- clearing justification unless a band- clearing application is filed that meets the requirements of our band clearing policy and the Auction Reform Act. 39. In conclusion, we find that each of these 104 stations seeking sixth- month extensions made reasonable and diligent efforts to construct their authorized DTV facilities, but that each encountered delays that were unforeseeable or beyond their control, thus preventing timely construction. Therefore, we grant these 104 stations an extension to six months from the release date of this Order to complete their DTV facilities. 40. Although we grant these extension requests, we take this opportunity to remind television stations that timely implementation of DTV is the key to the success of a nationwide DTV system. We have found that expedited construction promotes DTV’s competitive strength internationally, as well as domestically. We have also determined that rapid build- out ensures that the recovery of broadcast spectrum for future uses occurs as quickly as possible. We continue to expect stations seeking extensions to submit detailed justifications as to why they have been unable to complete construction of their facilities. As before, each station will be required to demonstrate that its failure to construct has been due to financial hardship, or circumstances that were either unforeseeable or beyond its control and that the station has taken all reasonable steps to resolve the problem expeditiously. We continue to expect such requests to be supported by documentation, and for stations to be able to demonstrate each step that was taken to complete construction or to outline each unforeseeable or uncontrollable delay or event. Only when we receive a fully supported request, will we allow an additional extension of the construction period. C. Stations Admonished For Failure To Timely Construct 41. In our Remedial DTV R& O we announced a series of measures that we would employ whenever we determined that a television station had failed to complete construction of its DTV facilities and had failed to adequately justify an extension of its DTV construction permit. 16 Upon examination of their extension applications, we have determined that 7 stations have not justified their failure to complete construction of their DTV facilities. 42. WSJU- DT, San Juan, Puerto Rico, provided two reasons for not completing construction. The first reason cited by the station was its discovery that it would not be able to use the same antenna for both its analog and DTV operation. This reason, however, is exactly the same as the one provided in its previous extension application filed in September 2002. No new information is provided. The second reason advanced by the station is that its antenna did not arrive until one month before it filed its extension application. However, no other information was provided concerning the station’s construction efforts or whether the delays were unforeseeable or outside of its control. _______________________ 16 See DTV Remedial R& O, supra. 10 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 11 43. WVUE- DT, New Orleans, Louisiana, noted in its extension application that it had previously planned to collocate its facilities on a tower with an FM station to resolve a blanketing interference problem caused by the FM station. The station later determined that modifications necessary to upgrade its current tower to accommodate the FM station’s antenna “would be neither practical nor economical.” The station chose to pursue another location for its DTV facilities and stated that it would be filing a modification application. Several months later, however, no such application has been filed. We do not find that WVUE- DT has taken all necessary steps to complete construction of its DTV facilities. 44. WDWL- DT, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, has made no attempt to construct its DTV facilities on Channel 59. The station cites to the fact that television channels 52- 59 were reallocated for new wireless uses and that an auction was recently conducted for Channel 59 in Puerto Rico. The station, however, erroneously claims that, even if it had built a DTV facility on Channel 59, it would “likely be displaced” by the auction winner. This is incorrect. The Rules provide that the allotted facilities of WDWL- DT on Channel 59 are protected from interference from the auction winner’s wireless operations. Furthermore, the station claims that it has considered filing a petition for rulemaking for a new channel but no such rulemaking has been filed. Although the station claims to be committed to the digital conversion, it has done nothing to support this statement. 45. KMVU- DT, Medford, Oregon; WKBW- DT, Buffalo, New York, WICZ- DT, Binghamton, New York; and WJAR- DT, Providence, Rhode Island; provided little support for their third extension requests. Little explanation was given by these stations for their inability to place their stations into operation since the grant of their last extension request. Although these stations claim that there were delays in construction, they provided little or no support for their contentions nor did they explain what steps they had taken to reduce the delays. Stations may not rely on unsupported delays to justify an extension. 46. These stations have failed to adequately demonstrate that their inability to complete construction of their DTV facilities in a timely fashion was due to circumstances that were unforeseeable or beyond their control. The stations also did not adequately address whether they had taken all necessary steps to further their DTV construction. We, therefore, deny these stations’ requests for an unqualified extension and admonish them for their continuing failure to comply with their DTV construction obligation. Each station is provided six months to comply with the DTV construction rule. Each station must submit a report (in letter form with the Secretary’s office) within thirty days of the release date of this Order outlining the steps it intends to take to complete construction and the approximate date that it expects to reach each of these construction milestones. Sixty days after the initial report, the stations must submit reports (once again in letter form with the Secretary’s office) detailing their progress on meeting their proposed construction milestones and justifying any delays they have encountered. If at any time during this six- month period, the stations fail to comply with the reporting requirements or fail to demonstrate that they are taking all reasonable steps to complete construction, or we 11 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 12 otherwise find that the stations have acted in bad faith, we will consider the imposition of additional sanctions. 47. These stations should understand that, as a result of being placed in the remedial program, the burden will be greater to demonstrate the propriety of any failure to complete their DTV construction. If at the end of the six- month period, the station has not completed construction, we will issue a Notice of Apparent Liability unless the station can demonstrate that its inability to complete construction was due to extraordinary and compelling circumstances, such as a new, unanticipated, intervening event. Stations will be required to fully detail and document the delays they have experienced and must show that they took every reasonable step to prevent such delays. III. Conclusion 48. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED That, pursuant to Section 73.624( d)( 3)( iii) of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C. F. R. § 73.624( d)( 3)( iii), the applications of the television stations set forth in Appendix A of this Order (except for the stations denoted as satellite stations) for extension of the digital television construction deadline ARE GRANTED and the digital television construction deadline IS EXTENDED to six months from the release date of this Order. The digital television construction deadline for those stations denoted as satellite stations in Appendix A of this Order IS DEFERRED pending the outcome of the Commission’s rulemaking proceeding in MB Docket No. 03- 15. 49. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That the television stations set forth in Appendix B of this Order ARE ADMONISHED for their continuing failure to comply with their DTV construction obligations, that their applications for extension of their DTV construction deadline ARE DENIED, and that these television stations ARE AFFORDED until six months from the release date of this Order to come into compliance with the Commission’s DTV construction rule. Each station must submit a report (in letter form with the Secretary’s office) within thirty days of the release date of this Order outlining the steps it intends to take to complete construction and the approximate date that it expects to reach each of these construction milestones. Sixty days after the initial report, the stations must submit reports (once again in letter form with the Secretary’s office) detailing their progress on meeting their proposed construction milestones and justifying any delays they have encountered. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Marlene H. Dortch Secretary 12 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 13 APPENDIX A Stations Granted Sixth- Month Extension (*): Indicates Satellite Station CALL FIN PREFIX ARN CH CITY ST KAII- DT(*) 4145 BEPCDT 20030724ACK 36 WAILUKU HI KAPP- DT 2506 BEPCDT 20030707ADB 14 YAKIMA WA KATN- DT 13813 BEPCDT 20030616ABA 18 FAIRBANKS AK KBSD- DT(*) 66414 BEPCDT 20030417AAW 5 ENSIGN KS KBSH- DT(*) 66415 BEPCDT 20030417AAX 20 HAYS KS KBSL- DT(*) 66416 BEPCDT 20030417AAY 14 GOODLAND KS KBZK- DT 33756 BEPCDT 20030605ADY 13 BOZEMAN MT KDLH- DT 4691 BEPCDT 20030522AAW 33 DULUTH MN KDLO- DT(*) 41975 BEPCDT 20030423ABJ 25 FLORENCE SD KDOC- DT 24518 BEPCDT 20030618ABZ 32 ANAHEIM CA KENV- DT(*) 63845 BEPCDT 20030711ABJ 8 ELKO NV KEYT- DT 60637 BEPCDT 20030306AAZ 27 SANTA BARBARA CA KFAA- DT(*) 29557 BEPCDT 20030512ADY 50 ROGERS AR KFNR- DT (*) 21612 BEPCDT 20030701BAA 9 RAWLINS WY KFTL- DT 20871 BEPCDT 20030613AAD 62 STOCKTON CA KFTR- DT 60549 BEPCDT 20030303ACE 47 ONTARIO CA KFVE- DT 34445 BEPCDT 20030613AOK 23 HONOLULU HI KFXF- DT 64597 BEPCDT 20030811AGW 22 FAIRBANKS AK KFYR- DT(*) 41427 BEPCDT 20030303ADF 31 BISMARCK ND KGMD- DT(*) 36914 BEPCDT 20030724AFX 8 HILO HI KGMV- DT(*) 36920 BEPCDT 20030724AFS 24 WAILUKU HI KGUN- DT 36918 BEPCDT 20030326AHV 35 TUCSON AZ KGWC- DT 63177 BEPCDT 20030522AGD 15 CASPER WY KGWL- DT(*) 63162 BEPCDT 20030522AGK 7 LANDER WY 13 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 14 KGWR- DT(*) 63170 BEPCDT 20030522AGE 21 ROCK SPRINGS WY KHAW- DT(*) 4146 BEPCDT 20030724AFU 21 HILO HI KHNL- DT 34867 BEPCDT 20030613AOJ 35 HONOLULU HI KIMO- DT 13815 BEPCDT 20030616AAZ 30 ANCHORAGE AK KJRR- DT 55364 BEPCDT 20030418AAT 14 JAMESTOWN ND KJWY- DT(*) 1283 BEPCDT 20030711ABE 14 JACKSON WY KJUD- DT 13814 BEPCDT 20030616ABB 11 JUNEAU AK KLTV- DT 68540 BEPCDT 20030227ABL 38 TYLER TX KLUZ- DT 35084 BEPCDT 20030328APK 42 SANTA MONICA CA KLWY- DT 40250 BEPCDT 20030723AIL 28 CHEYENNE WY KMAU- DT 64551 BEPCDT 20030812ADH 29 WAILUKU HI KMCC- DT 41237 BEPCDT 20030716ADP 32 LAUGHLIN NV KMOT- DT(*) 41425 BEPCDT 20030303ADG 58 MINOT ND KMTF- DT 68717 BEPCDT 20030716ACT 29 HELENA MT KOGG- DT 34859 BEPCDT 20030613AOI 16 WAILUKU HI KOLO- DT 63331 BEPCDT 20030403ACI 9 RENO NV KPVI- DT 1270 BEPCDT 20030711ABR 23 POCATELLO ID KPXB- DT 58835 BEPCDT 20030320AAD 5 CONROE TX KPXE- DT 33337 BEPCDT 20030421AAJ 51 KANSAS CITY MO KPXN- DT 58978 BEPCDT 20030801BTH 38 SAN BERNARDINO CA KQCD- DT(*) 41430 BEPCDT 20030303ADH 18 DICKINSON ND KREM- DT 34868 BEPCDT 20030530ARX 20 SPOKANE WA KSGW- DT 17680 BEPCDT 20030421ABU 13 SHERIDAN WY KSPR- DT 35630 BEPCDT 20030725ADO 19 SPRINGFIELD MO KSKN- DT 35606 BEPCDT 20030327ADX 36 SPOKANE WA KSWO- DT 35645 BEPCDT 20030303ACI 23 LAWTON OK KTAQ- DT 42359 BEPCDT 20030515ADA 46 GREENVILLE TX 14 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 15 KTBY- DT 35655 BEPCDT 20030612ADI 20 ANCHORAGE AK KTRE- DT 68541 BEPCDT 20030227ABM 43 LUFKIN TX KTTU- DT 11908 BEPCDT 20030620AAS 19 TUCSON AZ KTUU- DT 10173 BEPCDT 20030611ABC 18 ANCHORAGE AK KTVA- DT 49632 BEPCDT 20030718AFN 28 ANCHORAGE AK KTVH- DT 5290 BEPCDT 20030711ABO 14 HELENA MT KTVQ- DT 35694 BEPCDT 20030227ACV 17 BILLINGS MT KUAM- DT 51233 BEPCDT 20030508AAD 2 HAGATNA GU KUMV- DT 41429 BEPCDT 20030303ADI 52 WILLISTON ND KUPN- DT 63158 BEPCDT 20030528ADA 23 STERLING CO KWNV- DT(*) 63846 BEPCDT 20030711ABC 12 WINNEMUCCA NV KVLY- DT(*) 61961 BEPCDT 20030303ADD 58 FARGO ND KVTH- DT(*) 608 BEPCDT 20030728ABP 14 HOT SPRINGS AR KVTJ- DT(*) 2784 BEPCDT 20030728ABQ 49 JONESBORO AR KVTV- DT 33078 BEPCDT 20030703ACG 14 LAREDO TX KWAB- DT(*) 42008 BEPCDT 20030303ACG 33 BIG SPRING TX KWES- DT 42007 BEPCDT 20030303ACD 15 ODESSA TX KWGN- DT 35883 BEPCDT 20030609ACO 34 DENVER CO KWHH- DT 37103 BEPCDT 20030612ALZ 23 HILO HI 15 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 16 KWHM- DT (*) 37105 BEPCDT 20030612ALX 20 WAILUKU HI KXGR- DT 63927 BEPCDT 20030507ABS 47 GREEN VALLEY AZ KXJB- DT 49134 BEPCDT 20030519ADT 38 VALLEY CITY ND KXLF- DT 35959 BEPCDT 20030228ALJ 15 BUTTE MT KXMA- DT(*) 55684 BEPCDT 20030507ACB 19 DICKINSON ND KXMD- DT(*) 55683 BEPCDT 20030507ACC 14 WILLISTON ND KXTF- DT 1255 BEPCDT 20030711ABK 34 TWIN FALLS ID KYUS- DT 5237 BEPCDT 20030707ACD 13 MILES CITY MT KZTV- DT 33079 BEPCDT 20030703ACF 18 CORPUS CHRISTI TX WABG- DT 43203 BEPCDT 20030716ACN 54 GREENWOOD MS WAKA- DT 701 BEPCDT 20030716ACM 55 SELMA AL WANE- DT 39270 BEPCDT 20030505ABN 4 FORT WAYNE IN WBAK- DT 65247 BEPCDT 20030716ACL 39 TERRE HAUTE IN WBBJ- DT 65204 BEPCDT 20030716ACP 43 JACKSON TN WBKP- DT 76001 BEPCDT 20030818ABK 11 CALUMET MI WBPH- DT 60850 BEPCDT 20030522AEW 59 BETHLEHAM PA WBUW- DT 26025 BEPCDT 20030430ABS 32 JANESVILLE WI WCAX- DT 46728 BEPCDT 20030527ABQ 53 BURLINGTON VT WCCU- DT(*) 69544 BEPCDT 20030716ACE 26 URBANA IL WCFT- DT 21258 BEPCDT 20030428AAW 5 TUSCALOOSA AL WCTV- DT 31590 BEPCDT 20030521ADO 46 THOMASVILLE GA WECT- DT 48666 BEPCDT 20030530ATE 54 WILMINGTON NC WENY- DT 71508 BEPCDT 20030822AFR 55 ELMIRA NY 16 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 17 WFGC- DT 11123 BEPCDT 20030618ABE 49 PALM BEACH FL WFGX- DT 6554 BEPCDT 20030227ABJ 25 FORT WALTON BEACH FL WFXI- DT 37982 BEPCDT 20030725ADJ 24 MOREHEAD CITY NC WGPX- DT 65074 BEPCDT 20030509ABF 14 BURLINGTON NC WGSA- DT 69446 BEPCDT 20030401CJC 35 BAXLEY GA WGTQ- DT(*) 59279 BEPCDT 20030818ABB 56 SAULT STE. MARIE MI WGTU- DT 59280 BEPCDT 20030818ABC 31 TRAVERSE CITY MI WGXA- DT 58262 BEPCDT 20030725ADP 16 MACON GA WHDF- DT 65128 BEPCDT 20030508AAR 14 FLORENCE AL WHLT- DT(*) 48668 BEPCDT 20030425AAA 58 HATTIESBURG MS WHTV- DT 29706 BEPCDT 20030327AFN 34 JACKSON MI WIPX- DT 10253 BEPCDT 20030606ACI 27 BLOOMINGTON IN WJCL- DT 37174 BEPCDT 20030725ADD 23 SAVANNAH GA WJFB- DT 7651 BEPCDT 20030224ADO 44 LEBANON TN WJSU- DT 56642 BEPCDT 20030428ABA 58 ANNISTON AL WKTV- DT 60654 BEPCDT 20030306AAW 29 UTICA NY WLAJ- DT 36533 BEPCDT 20030227ABG 51 LANSING MI WLNE- DT 22591 BEPCDT 20030605ADX 49 NEW BEDFORD MA WLUC- DT 21259 BEPCDT 20030730AXW 35 MARQUETTE MI WNEG- DT(*) 63329 BEPCDT 20030521ADR 24 TOCCOA GA WNTZ- DT 16539 BEPCDT 20030520AAI 49 NATCHEZ MS WNYT- DT 73363 BEPCDT 20030321AAS 12 ALBANY NY WPXC- DT 71236 BEPCDT 20030801BTN 24 BRUNSWICK GA WPXL- DT 21729 BEPCDT 20030528AEV 50 NEW ORLEANS LA WPXN- DT 73356 BEPCDT 20030228AEV 30 NEW YORK NY WQPX- DT 64690 BEPCDT 20030606ACJ 32 SCRANTON PA WRJM- DT 62207 BEPCDT 20030822AFJ 48 TROY AL WRSP- DT 62009 BEPCDT 20030716ACO 44 SPRINGFIELD IL 17 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 18 WSFA- DT 13993 BEPCDT 20030227ABK 57 MONTGOMERY AL WTAP- DT 4685 BEPCDT 20030530BPV 49 PARKERSBURG WV WTCV- DT 28954 BEPCDT 20030327AFG 32 SAN JUAN PR WTLW- DT 1222 BEPCDT 20030529ABP 47 LIMA OH WTOM- DT 21254 BEPCDT 20030521ACD 14 CHEBOYGAN WI WTVA- DT 74148 BEPCDT 20030319ACU 8 TUPELO MS WVAG- DT 28155 BEPCDT 20030602BQM 43 VALDOSTA GA WVIB- DT 27387 BEPCDT 20030509AAZ 12 KEY WEST FL WVNS- DT 74169 BEPCDT 20030515AAO 48 LEWISBURG WV WWOR- DT 74197 BEPCDT 20030529AAP 38 SECAUCUS NJ WXTV- DT 74215 BEPCDT 20030314BFK 40 PATERSON NJ WYDO- DT(*) 35582 BEPCDT 20030725ADK 21 GREENVILLE NC WYPX- DT 13933 BEPCDT 20030529ARA 50 AMSTERDAM NY 18 Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 250 19 APPENDIX B Stations Admonished For Failure To Timely Construct CALL FIN PREFIX ARN CH CITY ST KMVU- DT 32958 BEPCDT 20030703ACB 27 MEDFORD OR WDWL- DT 4110 BEPCDT 20030805AAA 59 BAYAMON PR WICZ- DT 62210 BEPCDT 20030703ACE 8 BINGHAMTON NY WJAR- DT 50780 BEPCDT 20030604AAV 51 PROVIDENCE RI WKBW- DT 54176 BEPCDT 20030411ABX 38 BUFFALO NY WSJU- DT 4077 BEPCDT 20030527AEL 31 SAN JUAN PR WVUE- DT 4149 BEPCDT 20030326AHU 29 NEW ORLEANS LA 19