FCC sought comment on The Weather Channel (TWC) request for clari...

FCC sought comment on The Weather Channel (TWC) request for clarification that it was in compliance with aural tone requirements of video description rules when it provided aural tone prior to first time that crawl or scroll containing emergency information was carried. Commission has said that when broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) provides emergency information through crawl or scroll, it must be accompanied by aural tone. At issue, TWC said, are 2 of its Weather Stars systems that affect only 6.5% of its subscribers. It anticipated replacing all Stars IIIs systems, which are technically capable of producing aural tone only before they carry crawl or scroll, with more advanced products by 2003-2004, while Stars Jr., which currently can’t offer aural tone, may be upgraded to level of Stars IIIs. Saying total cost of replacing both systems would be more than $34 million, TWC said its circumstances were “unique and the interpretation it seeks will be an especially narrow one.” If FCC doesn’t grant TWC’s request, then Commission as alternative should grant “undue burden” exemption, it said.