Strong to FCC: Keep Jackson County in Huntsville TV market

WASHINGTON — Congressman Dale W. Strong (AL-05) has formally requested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) keep Jackson County in the Huntsville Designated Market Area (DMA).  

The FCC, by way of market analytics firm Nielsen, recently reassigned Jackson County to the Chattanooga, Tenn., DMA. Congressman Strong is asking the FCC to reverse this decision in the interest of public safety. 

In a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Rep. Strong wrote:  

“An overwhelming majority of my Jackson County constituents rely upon Huntsville TV stations for severe weather coverage. … According to the Jackson County EMA, this DMA reassignment serves as the top public safety threat facing its constituency. As a first responder myself, I believe Jackson County residents’ inability to access the Huntsville TV market would hold adverse consequences for severe weather preparedness. In fact, many constituents have contacted my office to express this very concern.” 

The letter continued, “As the member of Congress representing more than 52,000 Jackson County residents, I request that the FCC and Nielsen reevaluate the process utilized to determine this DMA reassignment.”