Class A television service
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Class A television service is a system for regulating some low power television (LPTV) stations in the United States set up by the FCC as a result of the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999.
Unlike traditional LPTV stations, Class A stations were given primary status during the transition to digital television (DTV), meaning that a full-service television station could not displace a class A LPTV station from its broadcast frequency (TV channel), except in rare cases. In contrast, traditional LPTV stations often found their frequencies assigned to full-service DTV operations, forcing them to relocate to another frequency. This was especially true in large cities, where available broadcast spectrum was scarce, and LPTV stations found themselves forced to cease operations due to no suitable spectrum.
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 3 hours per week of programming produced within the 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 - 51)
An LPTV station could also qualify for Class A status if it follows the FCC's "public interest, convenience, and necessity" standards.
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