Federal Communications Commission FCC 08-193 
STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
Re:  Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals: Amendment to Part 76 of the  
Commission’s Rules, CS Docket 98-120
In the cable carriage order adopted last September, I expressed my 
disappointment that we did not resolve these small system issues at the time.  Again, 
when we deferred the HD carriage requirements for DBS operators last March, I 
expressed the hope that we would turn quickly to the carriage issues raised by small cable 
operators.  While this Order has taken far longer than I would have preferred, I am 
pleased that we have finally acted to provide some relief for small cable systems.  At the 
same time, I am pleased that the Commission will re-examine these exemptions by 
February 17, 2012 to ensure that we maintain the appropriate balance as the digital 
marketplace continues to evolve.