Title

On November 2, Maine voters will be asked to approve a $9.4 million referendum t

Authors

Meg Haskell

Source

Maine Times

Date

9-16-1999

Pages

16-17

Abstract

On November 2, Maine voters will be asked to approve a $9.4 million referendum to help pay the costs of converting Maine Public Television from an analog to a digitally format. The digital format will makes better use of frequencies, making space available for other telecommunications needs, and will result in crystal-clear images. Federal Communications Commission regulations require that all broadcast television stations, both public and private, provide a digital signal by the year 2003, with complete conversion mandated for 2006. Rob Gardiner, president of Maine Public Broadcasting Corp. (MPBC) , says failure to comply will result in the loss of MPBC's licenses. Maine will be the first state in the nation to hold a referendum on conversion, for which Gardiner said MPBC has budgeted a total of $20.8 million. Gardiner claims that MPBN will be out of business in eight years if the referendum fails.

Subjects

Maine Public Broadcasting Corp, Referendums (State), Television

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