Broadcasters Gut Digital TV Bill

Two words. ¶ That was all it took to gut a bill introduced Tuesday by Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) to force broadcasters to give back all of their beachfront analog TV spectrum by Jan. 1, 2009. The government would then give some of the spectrum to emergency workers and sell off the rest to telecommunications companies planning broadband wireless services. ...¶... Under the amendment, which the committee passed in a 13-9 vote, the broadcasters wouldn't have to give anything back at all in a particular market if the Federal Communications Commission concluded that such a move would create a "consumer disruption" -- the two key words. Critics fear broadcasters could get that ruling in many markets. ... Wired News link