The Community Broadcasters Association (CBA) was a trade organization representing low-power broadcasting interests, including LPTV and Class A television stations, in the United States of America. It ceased operations in 2009.Community Broadcasters Association to Shutter
History Key issues addressed by the CBA included the provision of interference protection for small broadcasters (for which it successfully petitioned the FCC for creation of the "Class A" designation in 1998April 21, 1998 FCC petition for rule-making for "CLASS A" TV service) and the need for analog passthrough in coupon-eligible converter boxes (it had unsuccessfully pursued legal action claiming that the absence of this feature, needed to avoid blocking signals from low-power and foreign stations not converting to digital in 2009, violates the All-Channel Receiver Act of 1961).
CBA's lawsuit seeking an injunction to halt the sale and distribution of DTV converter boxes lacking analog tuners and analog passthroughWhat Will Digital Do to Low-Power TV?, Joel Rose, NPR Weekend Edition, May 3, 2008 was filed in March 2008Community Broadcasters Association petitions court to order DTV converter halt but denied without comment in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in May 2008.Court Denies CBA Petition on Analog Pass-Through The FCC and NTIA urged manufacturers to include analog pass-through voluntarily in all converter boxes, and some of the newest generation of models now offer the feature.Small television stations struggling with digital conversion, Ana Radelat, USA Today/Gannett News, June 7, 2008
Due to the large number of public service announcements on full-service stations, which often confusingly claimed that "all TV is going digital" on February 17, 2009, the CBA established websites such as KeepUsOn.com to notify consumers of the continued post-transition operation of analogue LPTV, with information on how to find and install converters which offered analogue pass-through capability.Keep Us On, CBA's site listing analogue pass-through converters and answering viewers' DTV questions
The CBA also advocated that existing Class A stations be permitted to upgrade to full service status, obtaining the same must-carry access to cable television that was available to full-power broadcasters,CBA's filing re: FCC MB Docket No. 07-294, September 16, 2008 and (like full-power broadcasters) opposed expansion of the FM radio band into the frequency range currently occupied by TV channels 5 and 6.FCC Docket No. 07-294 Supplement to reply comments of the Community Broadcasters Association
Amy Brown was the executive director of the Community Broadcasters Association when it closed.Community Broadcasters Association closes doors; some LPTV stations look to cellular alternative The corresponding advocacy role for U.S. full-service television stations is filled by the National Association of Broadcasters.
See also Class A television service Broadcast relay station Low-power broadcasting DTV transition in the United States
References
External links Community Broadcasters Association (no longer active)