The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously on Thursday to grant DirecTV and Dish Network more time to carry every TV station's local high-definition (HD) signal after the transition to all-digital signals in February 2009.

Under a phased approach, DirecTV and Dish Network have until 2013 to carry every station in HD; but if they carry an HD signal from one local broadcaster, they have to carry all of the HD signals in that market, which prevents them from picking more popular HD signals to carry.

The FCC's expected decision to grant the satellite providers the extension was first made public last week (story here).

"We continue to strive for regulatory parity in our policymaking," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said . "In this case, as it was last fall in the cable context, the American consumer is, and continues to be, our highest priority. Without the proper policies in place, some viewers may be left in the dark or be unable to realize the full opportunities offered by digital technology.

"The Commission remains committed to taking whatever actions are necessary to minimize the potential burden the digital transition could impose on consumers and maximize their ability to benefit from it."

The satellite providers have argued that they do not have enough plant capacity to call all of the local HD signals, which is the same dilemma that some smaller cable operators face.

Under the phased approach, the FCC said that by February 17, 2010, satellite carriers must provide carriage of HD broadcast stations, in HD, in at least 15 percent of the markets in which they carry any station pursuant to the statutory copyright license in HD.

The "HD carry one, carry all" requirement will apply to 30 percent of a satellite carrier's HD markets no later than February 17, 2011; 60 percent no later than February 17, 2012; and 100 percent by February 17, 2013.

Once broadcasters make the transition to all-digital signals in February of next year, cable operators will have to carry TV signals in digital and analog formats for three years for any station that wants "dual carriage." The FCC also mandated that cable operators also provide HD feeds, which are much more bandwidth intensive than standard-definition (SD) feeds.

The American Cable Association (ACA) has recently filed comments with the FCC requesting exemptions for smaller cable operators. Dual carriage of both analog and digital signals is more problematic for smaller operators if they are facing bandwidth constraints.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has also requested that the FCC provide dual-carriage exemptions for smaller operators.

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