Determined to meet the statutory deadline for shifting TV broadcasting from analog to digital on Feb. 17, 2009, the FCC is demanding that every full-power TV station provide a status report on its digital facilities by Feb. 18, 2008.

Using a new form, stations that haven't completed construction must detail what still needs to be done and provide a timeline for getting it done.

"Those reports should give us a much better picture of specific issues that may arise—hopefully, with enough time to address them," said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.

The reporting requirement is one of many rulings contained in an FCC order released today and aimed at making sure the analog cut-off and transition to digital goes smoothly.

According to the order, more than 800 of the 1,800 full-service TV stations have built their post-transition facilities.

Stations that will be using the same digital channel after the transition as they are now and already have a construction permit will have until May 18, 2008, to complete their facilities, the FCC ruled.

Stations that will be using the same channel, but don't yet have a construction permit will have until Aug. 18, 2008, to complete their digital facilities, the FCC said.

Stations that have to switch to a different digital channel after the transition date will have the maximum amount of time—until Feb. 17, 2009—to complete their facilities.

The approximately 634 stations in this different-channel category do not have to finish construction of pre-transition digital facilities so they can "focus their efforts on constructing their permanent DTV facilities on their post-transition channel," the FCC said.

Although the FCC adopted stricter standards for granting extension of time on the deadlines, it also provided stations will some operational flexibility.

The FCC said that stations that are moving to a different DTV channel may remain “temporarily” on their pre-transition digital channel after the transition date so long as the stations maintain service and don't interfere with other stations.

The FCC also said stations may operate at less than full authorized power after the transition if 1) they can demonstrate “a unique technical challenge” and if they will still serve at least 85 percent of the homes in their current coverage area or 2) if they can show a “significant technical impediment” to construction and they will still serve 100 percent of the homes in their current coverage.

Stations that cannot meet the 100-percent test will have to comply with stringent viewer notification requirements.

The FCC order also provides stations the ability to terminate or reduce their analog service to finish construction of digital facilities prior to the statutory cut-off under certain circumstances and under certain conditions.