New FCC Rules Ease Limits on TV Antennas, Dishes

The Federal Communications Commission adopted hotly debated rules Tuesday to prevent local governments from slapping curbs on where homeowners and businesses can place television antennas and dishes.

The regulations prohibit local laws, rules, private covenants and homeowner association rules that spoil TV reception--be it traditional broadcast, satellite-delivered or so-called wireless cable TV transmitted over radio waves and received via a dish.

But localities were given some leeway over placement rules designed to promote public safety and historic districts.

The rules stem from the telecommunications reform law passed earlier this year and cover antennas and dishes placed on a TV viewer’s private property. The FCC attempted to balance competing views on a fiercely debated topic.

Local governments, for example, have sought to impose curbs on antenna placement to prevent unsightly dishes from littering their communities.

But consumers don’t want their TV reception fouled up. Broadcasters and other companies competing with traditional cable TV reject curbs that could make it more difficult to peddle their services.

The FCC rules do not cover the placement of antennas on common property.