Washington - Mar 15, 2007 - The Federal Communications Commission will hold an open meeting on several subjects on March 22, 2007. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. One major item of interest on the agenda involves the long-awaited digital radio report and order.

Officially titled Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service (MM Docket No. 99-325), the agenda item was bumped from a previous open meeting several months ago. The item summary states that the commission will consider a Second Report and Order, First Order on Reconsideration, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning service rules and other requirements for radio stations broadcasting digital audio.

This radio hot-button will easily generate a great deal of discussion on digital radio, as the IBOC proponents and opponents each anticipate an outcome to support their stance.

Other radio broadcast items are on the agenda as well, including a memorandum opinion and order evaluating approximately 200 applications for 76 mutually exclusive groups to construct new or modified NCE FM broadcast stations, and license renewal and transfer of ownership for a number of Disney-owned stations being transferred to Citadel.

The meeting will be streamed (maximum 200 connections) live and available afterwards.