FCC lays down spectrum auction rules

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intends to formalise rules by which TV broadcasters voluntarily relinquish spectrum in return for compensation, reports TVB.

Establishing incentive auctions is among three items revealed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski for the commission's November agenda.

“In these two-sided auctions, we propose that current spectrum licensees, such as TV broadcasters, could voluntarily relinquish spectrum; the FCC would then auction spectrum for flexible wireless broadband, and some portion of the proceeds would be shared with the old licensee,” Genachowski said.

The BBC has confirmed channel numbers for BBC One HD on the four main digital TV platforms, along with details about the launch night schedule, according to Digital Spy.

As revealed, the high definition simulcast of BBC One will commence on the evening of November 3. It will be available on Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

Starting at 7pm, the unveiling night for BBC One HD will feature a series of programmes produced in native HD, including 'The One Show' and new series 'Wallace and Gromit: World of Inventions'.

Nearly 70% of Americans still watch their favourite television shows at the time they are broadcast, and only 16% record them to watch at a later date, a poll found, notes Reuters.

The Marist College phone poll of 1 005 people found 9% of respondents watched their shows online and 7% do not watch TV at all.

Nearly 80% of Americans over 45 years old watch TV traditionally - as it is broadcast over the air or on cable or satellite networks - while that figure falls to 56% for people under 45, the poll found.