WASHINGTON � It�s hard to believe, but FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has held that title for more than a week now.
In a blog post on Medium, Pai acknowledged the Groundhog Day holiday and his propensity to hit two themes hard: closing the digital divide and removing unnecessary regulations, both items he set for the February 2017 public meeting. And in a move that should please broadcasters, he also announced plans to move �forward with two actions to boost U.S. broadcasting� (and nodded to Bill Murray�s misanthropic �Groundhog Day� weatherman in the process).
With his first radio-specific initiative, Pai stayed true to his past work as a commissioner and AM radio fan. He wants the commission to consider an AM revitalization effort offering �greater flexibility to AM stations in siting their translators.��
Broadcasters should also take note that Pai wants television stations to begin to transition to ATSC 3.0 on a voluntary basis this year, � letting the broadcast business innovate and fully enter the digital era.�
