The FCC created this category of service as a result of the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999.
Support for this ruling came largely from the Community Broadcasters Association, an industry group representing low-power TV station operators.
In exchange for the added broadcast protections, class-A stations are required to be more responsible in covering the community they serve.
A class-A television station may obtain a license to broadcast digitally at not more than 15 kW UHF or 3,000 watts VHF, but is not required to do so.
These are the same maximum power levels as for unprotected (secondary) low-power television stations.