At the prompting of the NAB, leading TV station groups are promising not to deny cable operators the right to carry their stations as a result of failed retransmission consent negotiations in the two weeks before and after the Feb. 17, 2009, analog broadcasting cut-off.

The voluntary moratorium, which will stretch from Feb. 4 to March 4, is intended "to minimize any potential for consumer confusion," the NAB TV broad says in a resolution calling for the moratorium.

Viewers will also not have to worry about any loss of signals through April 1 since FCC rules prohibit any changes in cable channel lineups during sweeps periods. And, because of the DTV transition, the February sweeps have been shifted forward one month and will run from March 5 to April 1.

"As the number of companies and stations joining this effort continues to grow, we will keep you and your fellow commissioners updated. America's television broadcasters will continue to focus on educating the public on the importance of the digital transition," says NAB President David Rehr in a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

"A successful transition is a top priority of NAB and we will continue to show leadership in our public-private partnership," the letter adds.

Endorsing the effort so far are: ABC, NBC, Ion, Univision, Telemundo, Belo, Barrington Broadcasting, Bonneville International Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations, Gannett Broadcasting, Citadel Communications, Hearst-Argyle Television, LIN TV Corp., Morgan Murphy Media, Media General Broadcast Group, Dispatch Broadcast Group, Cox Television, Meredith Broadcasting Group, News-Press and Gazette Broadcasting, Raycom Media, Quincy Newspapers, E.W. Scripps TV Station Group, Tribune Broadcasting, Freedom Communications, Young Broadcasting and Woods Communications.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin was fully briefed on the voluntary effort in a Monday conference call with NAB Joint Board Chairman Jack Sander, senior adviser to Belo Corp., and NAB Television Board Chairman K. James Yager, president and CEO of Barrington Broadcasting.