December 26, 1996




                           SEPARATE STATEMENT OF
 
                      COMMISSIONER RACHELLE B. CHONG 


Re:  Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact Upon the
Existing Television Broadcast Service, MM Docket No. 87-268,
Fourth Report and Order


     Digital television is coming to American homes.  In today's
Order, we adopt a slightly modified version of the digital
broadcasting standard developed by the Advisory Committee on
Advanced Television Service (ACATS).  By doing so, we will
provide certainty and confidence for both consumers and the
broadcast industry as we take this important and inevitable step
into the digital age.  

     No one should underestimate the impact of the new digital
broadcasting standard that we adopt today.  This standard will
help ensure smooth sailing as we transition to digital
broadcasting.  We have charted a consumer-oriented course.  

Consumers will be able to buy digital television sets and know
that the sets they purchase will work anywhere in the United
States.  This is important if we want to preserve the free,
universal over-the-air television service that we have all come
to rely upon.   

     I am pleased that the digital standard we have adopted will
provide enough flexibility and "headroom" that it will
accommodate future technological innovations.  I am confident
that this standard, which is the product of unprecedented
cooperative effort by the entire video industry, will keep pace
with innovation.    

     Finally,  I note that this is only the first leg of our
journey into the digital era.  The industry is ready to move
forward.  It is time for government to get out of the way and for
us to complete the other two digital television proceedings
before us.   Let's get the job done.