The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 3, 1997 - 5A FCC to mandate digital television WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators are prepared to approve a lan today to begin rolling out cinema- ality digital television to the public in 24 months. The Federal Communications Commission's plan caps 10 years of work to clear the way for the biggest industry advance since color in the 1950s. The 24-month rule will apply to sta- tions owned or affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the nation's top 10 markets. Stations in smaller markets l1 have 30 months to begin digital 11oadcasting, FCC sources said, speak- ing on condition of anonymity. The commission already has received written pledges from at least 25 stations in the top 10 markets to offer digital broadcasts within 18 months - in time for the 1998 holi- day shopping season, the FCC sources said. The next step up - high definition *evision with its even sharper pictures and sound than digital TV - is being left up to each station under the FCC plan, according to sources familiar with it. Stations will be free to broadcast as little or as much digital high-definition programs as they want. With the new digital technology, TV stations could cram more services into their airwaves space. For example, they could offer sports scores to laptop com- puter users or even establish a separate pay-for-view sports channel. Once the plan is formally approved, the FCC will immediately begin issuing new digital broadcast licenses to every TV station in the country. FCC Chair Reed Hundt had support- ed a short timetable for pushing digital television onto the market, a move endorsed by the manufacturers of TV sets. As they convert to digital, broadcast- ers will be transmitting programs over two channels: their existing analog; and a second digital channel that they'll get from the government for free. This way, existing analog TV sets will not be ren- dered immediately useless. WALK Continued from Page IA will be good," Allan said. "We want to make sure the lighting is adequate for where the students are." Department of Public Safety Sgt. Gary Hicks said the suggestions made last night will be strongly recommend- ed by DPS to various University departments. "I really don't see any problems in getting these things initiated," Hicks said. Along with MSA, the eight campus organizations that contributed to the Campus Safety Walk are the Residence Hall Association, the LSA-Student Government, the Panhellenic Association, the Interfraternity Council, Safewalk, Northwalk, University of Michigan Engineering Council and DPS. HOSPITAL Continued from Page 1A and 1988 of $1.1 million, $5.7 million, and $2.4 million, respectively. Surplus revenue is stored in a reserve fund, which is estimated to hold a little under $700 million, Harrison said. Warren said that the Medical Center's final net profit should be available at the end of the fiscal year in late June. wust 09. IA For T1b: C'rcssword Puzrzl.es These are not your normal sandwiches. The bagels are softer so all the goodies don't smushout. Goodies like turkey, ham, turkey pastrami, tuna, chicken, sprouts, tomatoes and other stuff. OFFER GOOD THROUGH APRIL 13,1997. NO COUPON REQUIRED. (LOX SANDWICH NOT INCLUDED. REGULAR DRINK SIZE ONLY.) Accelerate your education r "" ".'mow ""r ." - ... 11 ' r ;. i . '' --r + M .... " ., -W. at The University of Michigan-Dearborn If you're returning to metro Detroit for the summer, you could speed our progress toward graduation by taking Summer term courses as a guest student on the conveniently located UM-Dearborn campus. HANG OUT WITH THE EINSTEIN BROS. 307 State St. 741.9888 or any other of our Detroit-area locations. Summer Full Term: Half-term Session I: Half-term Session II: May 12-August 29 May 12- July 2 July 7-August 29 Registration for guest students begins May 1, so don't delay! Pick up a guest annlication at your institution's Registrar's Office, or call the .. I L.