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How to Prevent Viewing Objectionable Television Programs

2009-07-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

Background

Cable television companies typically encrypt or scramble the signal of channels that the subscriber hasn't purchased so that only persons who have paid for the service will be able to receive and view it. Some scrambling techniques employed by cable operators, however, may not always fully block the video and audio of each channel. The result may be “signal bleed.”

What is "Signal Bleed?"

Signal bleed is the ability of a cable subscriber to access the audio and/or the video of a channel that the subscriber hasn't purchased. For example, if a subscriber has not purchased a certain cable station, but is able to see or hear the programming on that station for brief periods, there is signal bleed. Signal bleed may result in an individual cable subscriber viewing programming that contains objectionable content or material. To address this specific concern, Congress enacted Section 504 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.

How Does Section 504 Address a Signal Bleed Problem?

Section 504 requires that, upon the request of the subscriber, a cable company must fully scramble or block the audio and the video of a programming service that a consumer doesn't subscribe to at no charge to the subscriber. This law applies to any type of programming that you do not wish to view and to which you don't subscribe. For example, the programming must be on a channel that isn't included in the programming package that you purchased from your cable company.

Section 504 doesn't require the cable operator to fully block the channel unless the subscriber requests blocking. To take advantage of Section 504, contact your cable company and request that the channel you don't wish to view be blocked.

Other Mechanisms Available to Block Programming or Channels

Generally, cable television operators have the right to determine the channels that are available on their cable systems. To maximize the number of subscribers, the cable operator selects channels that are likely to appeal to a broad spectrum of viewers. Because of this practice, a cable subscriber may receive programs as part of a programming package that he or she doesn't wish to view. While Section 504 doesn't require a cable operator to block services provided as part of a package you have subscribed to, individual subscribers have various tools available that may be used to prevent the viewing of programs or channels. For example, the subscriber may employ a lockbox and/or the V-chip.

Lockbox:
A “lockbox” is a device that a subscriber may lease or purchase from the cable company or from a retail store. By using a lockbox, a cable subscriber can literally lock specific channels so that the programming can't be viewed.
V-chip
Federal law now requires that most programming available on television be rated to alert viewers if the program contains violence, inappropriate language, or other material that a viewer may find offensive. A V-chip is the circuitry in a television that is capable of identifying these ratings and blocking the programming that an individual finds inappropriate. All 13-inch or larger screen televisions that are manufactured or imported for use in the United States are now required by law to be equipped with the V-chip. Television manufacturers were required to include the V-chip on at least 50% of their products after July 1, 1999, and on the remaining 50% of 13-inch or larger products by January 1, 2000. If you have an older model television, you may purchase a V-chip and attach it to the television. Depending on the V-chip’s technical specifications, the V-chip may be used to block individual programs or it may be used to block one or more channels entirely.

Filing a Complaint

If you're experiencing signal bleed, first try to resolve it with your cable service provider. If you're unable to resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with the FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You can file your complaint using an on-line complaint form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.

What to Include in Your Complaint

The best way to provide all the information the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint form. When you open the on-line complaint form, you'll be asked a series of questions that will take you to the particular section of the form you need to complete. If you don't use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:

your name, address, phone number, and email address where you can be reached;
name, phone number, city, and state of the company that you're complaining about;
network, program name, and date and time of program if you're complaining about a particular program; and
any additional details of your complaint, including time, date, and nature of the conduct or activity you're complaining about and identifying information for any companies, organizations, or individuals involved.

For more information visit fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/objectionabletv.html

Compatibility of Cable TV and Digital TV Receivers - "Plug-and-Play

2009-07-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Background

Like broadcast television, cable television and other video media distributors are also transitioning to digital delivery technologies. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted rules that will help smooth this transition for millions of Americans. The FCC’s “plug-and-play” rules will ensure that most cable systems are compatible with digital television (DTV) receivers and related consumer electronics equipment. This compatibility is crucial to developing products and services to help spur the digital transition.

Plug-and-Play Digital Television

Increasingly, cable services are being provided in digital format and broadcast stations are in the midst of a transition from analog to all-digital service. Currently, analog cable-ready TVs are available for basic analog services over cable, but not for digital services over cable. A “plug-and-play” DTV is a television that you can plug directly into your cable system to receive analog and most digital cable services without the need for a set-top box.

Benefits of Plug-and-Play

* Many consumers prefer the convenience (and cost savings) of receiving cable programming without the need of a set-top box.
* You'll be able to take your plug-and-play set virtually anywhere in the country and know it will work on cable systems offering digital services.
* Plug-and-play will allow you to fully utilize the features and functions provided by the television set that often are unavailable when connected to a cable set-top box.

Will Digital Plug-and-Play Work Like Analog?

Digital plug-and-play is a new technology. To use it, you need to get a security card (also known as a "CableCARDTM") from your cable provider. The CableCard will plug into a slot on your plug-and-play set and will permit you to receive scrambled programming, including premium services, to which you’ve subscribed.

Will I Need A Set-Top Box if I Have a Plug-and-Play Set?

The first generation of plug-and-play sets will be able to receive one-way programming only, including analog basic, digital basic, and digital premium cable programming.

If you want to receive certain advanced digital cable services like pay-per-view, video-on-demand, cable operator enhanced program guide, or interactive data enhanced television service, using a first generation set, you'll need a set-top box. You may also need a set-top box to receive other cable operator-provided services, such as those that incorporate the features of a personal video recorder.

Negotiations are underway between the cable and consumer electronics industries to establish standards that would permit plug-and-play sets to provide advanced two-way services as well.

Availability of Plug-and-Play Sets

Plug-and-play sets built pursuant to the new standards are currently in retail stores. To verify that you are buying a plug-and-play set, ask your retailer if the set is “digital cable ready” and look for the label. Manufacturers that use that label must meet certain technical standards and must complete a testing and verification process.

Viewing High-Definition Programming On Plug-and-Play Sets

Plug-and-play will permit you to watch digital programming, but not all sets will display full high-definition quality. To be sure, check with your retailer on whether the set displays full high-definition quality or a lower resolution. You can also ask your local cable provider if it offers HDTV programming.

For More Information

For more information about DTV in general, visit our DTV Web site at www.dtv.gov or see our DTV consumer fact sheet at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html. You may also call our Consumer Center at: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice, 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY, or send an e-mail to fccinfo@fcc.gov.

Hearing on Review of Rural Broadband Programs

2009-07-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

Chairman McIntyre, Ranking Member Conaway, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify this morning on behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at this hearing to review the Federal government’s rural broadband programs. An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA is the principal advisor to the President on domestic and international telecommunications and information policy matters. NTIA’s portfolio grew upon the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) on February 17, 2009, which authorized and provided $4.7 billion in funding for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), a grant program to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure and promote the adoption of broadband service. The program will advance objectives articulated by the President in his Inaugural address on January 20, 2009, in which he stated:

“[W]e will act, not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.”

The 8 days ago in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, Vice President Biden, joined by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, announced the “the 1st step toward realizing President Obama’s vision of a nationwide 21st century communications infrastructure—one that encourages economic growth, enhances America’s global competitiveness, and helps address many of America’s most pressing challenges.” Secretary Locke is working to ensure we make this vision a reality – and the Department of Commerce has been charged with administering a key part of the President’s broadband expansion initiative. The first step to which the Vice President referred was the release of the first Notice of Funds Availability (NoFA) by NTIA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for the broadband initiatives included in the Recovery Act—NTIA’s BTOP and the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). On July 1, 2009, NTIA also released a NoFA announcing the availability of funds to implement the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (State Broadband Data Program) to fund state-level broadband data collection, mapping and planning projects and the development and maintenance of a national broadband map.

In my testimony, I will focus on NTIA’s implementation of BTOP and the State Broadband Data Program, and address our collaborative efforts with RUS and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to achieve the objectives of the Recovery Act and expand access to broadband services in the United States.

Statutory Provisions and Interagency Coordination

The Recovery Act allocates $4.7 billion to BTOP for the general purpose of accelerating the deployment and adoption of broadband services. Of that amount, at least $250 million is to be made available for programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services, and at least $200 million is to be made available for expanding public computer center capacity, including at community colleges and public libraries. The Recovery Act further provides for up to $350 million to implement the State Broadband Data Program and to develop and maintain a broadband inventory map.

As set forth in the Recovery Act, Congress designed BTOP to accelerate broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas and to strategic community institutions that provide important public benefits. The Act also focuses on stimulating demand for broadband services. The Act specifies that the program be designed to stimulate job creation, economic growth, and demand for broadband services. Other purposes of BTOP include: improving access to and the use of broadband services by public safety agencies and providing funds for broadband education, awareness, training, access, and support to a number of institutions including schools, libraries, job-creating strategic facilities, and organizations that provide broadband outreach and assistance to vulnerable populations.

The Recovery Act specifies the key elements NTIA must consider in awarding BTOP grants. For example, in the case of broadband infrastructure grants, the Act directs NTIA to consider whether:

* an application will increase the affordability of, and subscribership to, services to the greatest population of users in an area;
* the application will enhance service for health care delivery, education, or children to the greatest population of users in an area;
* an application, if approved, will not result in unjust enrichment as a result of support from another Federal program in the area;
* the applicant is a socially or economically disadvantaged small business;
* the application will provide the greatest broadband speed to the greatest population of users in an area.

Consistent with the statute, NTIA also aims to award grant funds to at least one project in each state.

As we've worked to implement the Recovery Act’s broadband provisions, NTIA has coordinated closely with the other Federal agencies directed to lead these efforts including the USDA’s RUS, which was appropriated $2.5 billion by the Recovery Act for broadband loans and grants and the FCC which recently published its Rural Broadband Strategy and is also required to develop a national broadband plan. NTIA, RUS, and the FCC are working together closely to leverage our authorities and resources to develop and implement a coordinated federal government approach to addressing the challenge of expanding the access and quality of broadband services across the country.

Our coordinated efforts began on March 10 of this year with a public meeting that NTIA, RUS and the FCC co-sponsored to initiate public outreach about the current availability of broadband services in the United States and ways in which the availability of broadband services could be expanded. NTIA and RUS followed the March 10 meeting with the release of an Request for Information (RFI) and six additional public meetings and field hearings, all convened by NTIA and RUS in March 2009. Nearly 120 panelists—including representatives from consumer and public interest groups, state and local governments, tribal governments, minority and vulnerable populations, industry, academia, and other institutions—made presentations at the hearings and commented on ways to make BTOP and BIP effective, equitable and efficient.

In response to the RFI and public meetings, RUS and NTIA received over 1,500 written comments from institutions and individuals. These comments along with more than 5 months of constant meetings among the agencies’ staff and a concerted effort to leverage the combined significant experience brought to the table by the 2 agencies all played a crucial role in formulating the structure of the NTIA and RUS broadband programs and the development of the NoFA. In establishing the coordinated grant and loan programs that make up the broadband initiatives, we believe, we've had an unprecedented level of coordination between the 2 cabinet-level agencies and an independent Federal agency. We also believe that ultimately consumers, especially rural consumers, will be the beneficiaries of this work.

BTOP Implementation

The NoFA, which NTIA and RUS released jointly on July 1, 2009, announces the availability of approximately $4 billion in program funding and describes application requirements for the first round of BTOP grants and BIP loans and grants. The collaborative approach that NTIA and RUS have taken in this NoFA will help to ensure that the agencies’ activities are complementary and integrated, taxpayer funds are best utilized, and the application process is easy to understand.

BTOP will seek to serve the highest priority needs for federal investment—particularly projects that offer the potential for economic growth and job creation, and provide benefits to education, health care, and public safety. The program will favor viable, sustainable, and scalable projects. NTIA will also favor proposals that satisfy the public-interest objectives specified in the statute and detailed in the NoFA. These projects can serve as models for future private investments once economic conditions improve.

In keeping with statutory requirements for NTIA, NTIA expects to distribute grants across geographic areas of the United States, addressing these various public purposes. We will issue grant awards on a technologically neutral basis, and we expect to support projects employing a range of technologies, including fixed and mobile wireless, fiber, and satellite.

Up to $1.4 billion in BTOP funds will be available in this first grant round. The application deadline for the first round of grants is August 14, 2009. Consistent with its appropriation, BTOP is divided into 3 categories of projects. Under the first NoFA, the Broadband Infrastructure category will fund up to $1.2 billion in projects that deliver broadband service to unserved and underserved areas. Applications to fund broadband infrastructure projects in areas that are at least 75 percent rural are required to be submitted to RUS for consideration under BIP. If an applicant intending to serve such rural areas also chooses to have an application considered for BTOP funding, the applicant must complete the additional elements required of BTOP infrastructure applicants. NTIA may determine such applications to be meritorious and make grant awards if RUS reviews the application and determines not to fund it. All other Broadband Infrastructure applications—i.e., those projects with proposed service areas that are less than 75% rural—must be submitted to NTIA for consideration under BTOP. A single application portal—www.broadbandusa.gov—will help streamline the process for grant applicants.

Within the Broadband Infrastructure category, NTIA and RUS determined that a distinction should be made in funding infrastructure projects, and we've created the broad categories of Last Mile and Middle Mile projects. Applications for Last Mile projects under BTOP must be for unserved or underserved areas and have the predominant purpose of providing broadband service to end users (and end users devices), including households, businesses, community anchor institutions, public safety entities, and critical community facilities. Applications for Middle Mile projects under BTOP also must be for unserved or underserved areas, but these projects should have an express purpose other than providing broadband service to end users and end-user devices and may include such things as interoffice transport, backhaul, Internet connectivity, or special access services.

The second BTOP grant category, Public Computer Centers, will fund projects that expand public access to broadband services and enhance broadband capacity at entities that permit the public or specific vulnerable populations, such as low-income, unemployed, aged, children, minorities, and people with disabilities to use these computer centers. In the first round, BTOP will fund up to $50 million for public computer centers.

The 3rd BTOP grant category, Sustainable Broadband Adoption, will fund innovative projects that promote broadband demand and affordability, such as projects focused on broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment and support, particular among vulnerable populations where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized. In this first round, BTOP will fund up to $150 million in broadband demand projects.

BTOP Eligibility

The Recovery Act delineates those entities that are eligible to apply for BTOP funding, including the U.S. states and their subdivisions, U.S. territories and possessions, tribes, and non-profit entities. Consistent with the Recovery Act, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information found it to be in the public interest to permit for-profit corporations and non-profit entities not otherwise encompassed in the Recovery Act that are willing to promote the goals of the Act and comply with the statutory requirements of BTOP to be eligible for a grant. By adopting this approach, the Assistant Secretary enabled a large and diverse applicant pool to participate in BTOP and to expand broadband capabilities in a technologically neutral manner.

Other eligibility factors set forth in the NoFA require that all BTOP applicants: submit a complete application and all supporting documents; demonstrate the project can be substantially completed within two years of the grant issuance date and fully completed within 3 years of the grant issuance date; advance one or more of BTOP’s 5 statutory purposes; provide matching funds of at least 20 percent toward total eligible project costs (unless a waiver petition is approved); document that the project would not be implemented during the grant period but for a federal grant; and demonstrate that the budget is reasonable.

Applicants for Broadband Infrastructure grants are also required to satisfy the following additional eligibility criteria:

* The applicant must propose to offer “broadband” service as defined in the NoFA—i.e., 2-way data transmission with advertised speeds of at least 768 kbps downstream and at least 200 kbps upstream to end users; or sufficient capacity in a middle-mile project to support “broadband” service to end users.
* The applicant must provide information that enables NTIA to determine that the proposed project is technically feasible, including submitting a system design and project timeline certified by a professional engineer for any project requesting funds over $1 million.
* The applicant must demonstrate the ability of the project to be sustained beyond the funding period.
* The applicant must commit to the program’s Nondiscrimination and Interconnection Obligations—
1) adherence to the FCC’s Internet Policy Statement;
2) not favor some lawful Internet applications and content over others;
3) describe and display any network management policies;
4) connect to the public Internet and not be an entirely private closed network; and 5) offer interconnection where technically feasible, including the ability to connect to the public Internet and physical interconnection for the exchange of traffic.
* Applicants for Last Mile infrastructure projects must provide service to the entire territory of each census block included in the funded service area unless the applicant can provide a reasoned explanation as to why providing coverage for an entire census block is infeasible.

BTOP Application Process

The NoFA sets forth a 2-step application review process. The goal in step one is to create a pool of viable and potentially fundable applications. After an initial screening to determine whether applications meet eligibility factors (such as application completeness) step one will consist of evaluating and scoring each BTOP application against objective criteria and not against other applications. Applications will be evaluated by at least 3 expert reviewers against objective criteria within four general categories:
1) project purpose,
2) project benefits,
3) project viability, and
4) project budget and sustainability.

Scores will be averaged and the applications that are considered to be the most highly qualified will advance for further consideration.

The goal of step two, which we consider to be the “due diligence” phase, is to fully validate the applications that advance from step one and identify the most highly qualified applications for funding. In step two, NTIA will request that applicants submit additional information as necessary to substantiate representations made in their application. The nature and scope of additional information requested will depend on the BTOP funding category in which the application was made. NTIA will review and analyze supplemental information and assign a rating, based on a five-point scale, reflecting the consistency of the application with supporting documents. Not all applications that are selected for step two will necessarily receive a grant. Grant recipients will be notified if their application has been selected for a BTOP grant. NTIA and RUS intend to announce awards beginning on or about November 7, 2009.

To assist potential applicants with their applications for both BTOP and BIP, NTIA and RUS are jointly conducting ten workshops this month throughout the country. The workshops include an overview of both BTOP and BIP and a review of the application process for funding.

The locations of the workshops are representative of rural and urban needs, as well as a diversity of regions, populations, topographies and city/metropolitan-area sizes. Two workshops were held earlier this week here in Washington DC and in Boston. Tomorrow, a workshop is scheduled in Charleston, West Virginia. In the coming weeks, workshops will be held in: Birmingham, Alabama (July 14); Memphis, Tennessee (July 15); Lonoke, Arkansas (July 16); Billings, Montana (July 17); Minneapolis, Minnesota (July 21); Albuquerque, New Mexico (July 23); and Los Angeles, California (July 24). For those unable to attend any of the workshops, NTIA will also have a webinar version of the workshops available on our website. We will also post application guidance and frequently-asked-questions on issues of general applicability to assist applicants complete a successful application. For the second and third rounds of funding for BTOP and BIP, NTIA and RUS anticipate that additional workshops will be held to aid applicants.

Participation of the States in BTOP

States will play an important role in BTOP. First, the NoFA invited each State to review and prioritize applications for projects in or affecting the state. Second, through a separate NoFA released on July 1, 2009, creating the State Broadband Data Program, NTIA is encouraging all states to collect broadband data for use in the national map mandated by the Recovery Act. The State Broadband Data Program is a competitive, merit-based matching grant program to fund projects that collect comprehensive and accurate state broadband mapping data, develop state broadband maps, and provide for broadband planning. With data collected at the state level, NTIA will develop and maintain a national broadband map, a key priority of this program. As such, NTIA intends to fund high-quality projects that are designed to gather data at the address level on broadband availability, technology, speed, infrastructure, and average revenue per user across the project area.

The Recovery Act authorizes NTIA to expend up to $350 million to support state mapping and planning efforts and for the development and maintenance of a broadband inventory map. NTIA expects to make approximately $240 million available for this activity, with grant awards that range between $1.9 million and $3.8 million per state for the mapping portion of each project, and up to $500,000 for the planning portion of each project. The amount of grant awards will depend on the specifics of each project and the quality of each project as determined in NTIA’s review, as well as demographic and geographic features unique to each state.

As set forth in the NoFA for the State Broadband Data Program, broadband mapping projects must propose:

* the collection of comprehensive and verifiable broadband data meeting the Program standards that will be accessible and clearly presented to NTIA, the public, and state and local governments without unduly compromising data or the protection of confidential information;
* a workable and sustainable framework for repeated updating of data;
* a plan for collaboration with state-level agencies, local authorities, and other constituencies, as well as a proposal for planning projects designed to identify and address broadband challenges in the state;
* feasibility as demonstrated by a reasonable and cost-efficient budget, and a showing of applicant capacity, knowledge, and experience; and
* a timeline for expedient delivery of data with a preference for initial delivery by November 1, 2009.

For broadband planning projects, the NoFA requires that applicants propose projects or award uses that relate to broadband planning activities, such as the identification of barriers to the adoption of broadband service and information technology services, the creation and facilitation of local technology planning teams, and the establishment of computer ownership and Internet access programs.

Grant recipients may use the collected broadband data for any lawful use consistent with the requirements of the program. In addition to providing all data collected to NTIA, applicants are expected to use the data to develop and maintain a statewide broadband map separate and distinct from the national broadband map.

The collected data will be used to inform future NTIA grant-making decisions under BTOP and for the development and maintenance of a national broadband map. As described in the NoFA for this program, NTIA expects that these and other data will publicly display the following information about broadband service: geographic areas in which broadband service is available; technologies used to provide broadband service; spectrum used for the provision of wireless broadband service in such areas; the speeds at which broadband service is available; and broadband service availability at public schools, libraries, hospitals, colleges and universities, and all public buildings. The national map will also be searchable by address and, to the greatest extent possible, at every address, provide the type and speed of broadband service that will be provided. For providers of wireless broadband service, the spectrum used for the provision of service will be provided.
Conclusion

Congress has entrusted NTIA with a significant responsibility. We believe the collaborative, open and transparent approach that we have taken in developing these two NoFAs is not only responsive to the statutory mandates for these programs, but also to the goals these programs are intended to achieve—to expand the access and quality of broadband services in the United States, preserve and create jobs, and promote economic recovery. NTIA intends to continue our close collaboration with RUS and the FCC as these programs progress and we look forward to getting Recovery Act funds into the hands of those who can use it to create jobs and to promote broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas.

All Americans, no matter where they live or what our individual circumstances may be, deserve to enjoy all of the promises that broadband service has to offer. The Administration is committed to realizing the President’s vision of bringing the benefits of broadband technology to all Americans.

Thank you and I look forward to your questions.

For more information visit http://www.ntia.doc.gov/congress/2009/BBTestimony_090709.html

Closed Captioning and Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes for Viewing Free OTA Programming on Analog Televisions

2009-07-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

Overview of DTV Transition The digital television (DTV) transition refers to the switch from analog to digital broadcast television. When the DTV transition is completed on June 12, 2009, all U.S. full-power TV stations will stop broadcasting in analog format, and will transmit only in digital instead. After that time, consumers who subscribe to pay television services (for example: cable, satellite) will continue to receive broadcast (“over the air”) television programs through these subscription services. Consumers who do not have subscription TV services will have 2 choices:
(1) they can purchase a digital TV (either a stand alone digital TV or separate digital tuner set-top box) or
(2) they can acquire a digital-to-analog converter box for each of their analog TVs to continue receiving free over-the-air digital television programming. The converter box will convert the over-the-air digital signals into signals that analog TV sets can receive and display. Starting in 2008, a government program run by a separate agency – the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) – will make available $40 coupons, 2 per household, to help consumers pay for converter boxes. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). More information on the digital-to-analog converter box coupon program is available online at http://www.dtv2009.gov/, or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

Some consumers have expressed concern about how the converter boxes will work and whether consumers will continue to receive closed captions after the transition to digital television takes place. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wishes to reassure consumers that its rules do require digital-to-analog converter boxes to pass through closed captions. This advisory explains how consumers will be able to access closed captions using these converter boxes.

Closed Captioning and the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box

Closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television program as text on the television screen, enabling people with hearing loss and others to better access television programming. FCC rules require DTV equipment such as converter boxes to be capable of passing through closed captioning. The digital-to-analog converter box receives closed caption signals and passes those closed caption signals to your TV automatically. In addition, many converter boxes will generate captions through the converter box itself, thus enabling you to change the way your captions look.

How to Control Closed Captions Through Your TV

Analog TVs that are 13 inches or larger, and were manufactured after July 1993, can display closed captions. When using any digital-to-analog converter box on one of these TVs, you can follow the instructions that came with your TV to turn closed captions on/off through your TV or TV remote control, just as you always have. If you were able to see closed captions on your TV before you got the converter box, you'll continue to see closed captions on your TV the same way after attaching the box. As before, captions will appear as white text on a black background.

Analog TVs that are smaller than 13 inches and TVs manufactured before July 1993, are not required to display closed captions. If your converter box is equipped to generate closed captions itself, however, you may be able to see closed captions on these TVs by following the instructions below.

How to See Closed Captions Through Converter Boxes Equipped Themselves to Generate Closed Captions

In addition to passing through closed caption signals, many converter boxes also include the ability to take over the captioning role that the tuner plays in your analog TV set. To determine whether your converter box is equipped to generate captions in this way, you should refer to the user manual that came with the converter box. If your converter box is equipped to generate captions in this way, then follow the instructions that came with the converter box to turn closed captions on/off via your converter box or converter box remote control. When you access the closed captions in this way, you also will be able to change the way your digital captions look. The converter box will come with instructions on how to change the caption size, font (style), caption color, background color, and opacity. This ability to adjust your captions is something you cannot do now with an analog television and analog captions.

What To Do if You Have Problems with Getting Captions

If you turn on the digital-to-analog converter box and see a double row of overlapping captions, it may mean you are seeing captions through both your TV and your digital-to-analog converter box. You should turn off the closed captioning function either on your television or on the converter box.

If you are able to get captions when you tune to one station, but not another, most likely this is not a problem with your converter box. You should contact the television station airing the program that does not have captions.

If you are using a digital-to-analog converter box with an analog TV set and can't see any captions, you should contact the manufacturer of the converter box.

Filing a Complaint with the FCC

If you've tried to resolve your problem viewing closed captioning in any of these ways but it continues, you can file a complaint with the FCC alleging a violation of the Television Decoder Circuitry Act and the FCC’s implementing rules. There is no charge for filing a complaint. If your complaint concerns the inability of your converter box to deliver captions, you may complain directly to the FCC. If your complaint concerns the lack of captioning on a specific program or channel (i.e., you receive captions on some channels, but not others), you must first complain to the programming distributor (meaning the broadcast TV station). For more information on filing a complaint with your programming distributor and the information to include in such complaints, see the FCC’s closed captioning consumer fact sheet at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/closedcaption.html. If you are uncertain where to file your complaint, contact the FCC’s Consumer Center using the contact information provided for filing a complaint with the FCC below.

You can file your complaint using an FCC on-line complaint form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice, 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554.

Note: On November 3, 2008, the Commission adopted rules revising the procedures for filing closed captioning complaints. These rules, however, will not take effect until approved by the Office of Management and Budget. Therefore, consumers must continue to follow the instructions for filing complaints that are contained in this advisory until further notice. Under the new rules, consumers will no longer be required to file complaints with the video programming distributor. Consumers will have 60 days from the date the captioned program aired to file a complaint either with the distributor or the Commission. If the complaint is filed with the Commission, the Commission will forward it to the distributor. After receiving a complaint, either directly from the consumer or from the Commission, the distributor will have 30 days to respond to the complaint. The Commission also adopted new rules requiring that video programming distributors make specific contact information available to consumers to assist consumers in contacting the distributors about closed captioning concerns.

What to Include In Your Complaint to the FCC

The best way to provide all the information needed for the FCC to process your complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint form. When you open the on-line complaint form, you will be asked a series of questions that will take you to the particular section of the form you need to complete. If you do not use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:

your name, address, email address, and phone number where you can be reached;
whether you are filing a complaint on behalf of another party, and, if so, the party’s name, address, email address, day time phone number, and your relationship to the party;
preferred format or method of response (letter, fax, voice phone call, email, TRS, TTY, ASCII text, audio recording, or Braille);
that your complaint is about closed captioning for DTV;
the name, address, and telephone number (if known) of the company or companies involved in your complaint;
the date and time or other details about timing of the lack of closed captioning;
television station call sign (WZUE), TV channel (13), location (city and state), and name of program involved; and
a brief description of your complaint and the resolution you are seeking, and a full description of the equipment or service you are complaining about, including date of purchase, use, or attempt to use.

For More Information

For more information about the DTV transition, visit www.dtv.gov, and see the FCC's consumer fact sheets at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html and www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvcaptions.html. You can also contact the FCC's Consumer Center using the contact information provided for filing a complaint.

Satellite TV (DBS) Subscribers and the DTV Transition

2009-07-07T23:43:00.000-07:00

The digital television (DTV) transition refers to the switch from analog to digital broadcast television. By June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting in analog, and will continue broadcasting in digital only. Your local broadcasters may make the transition before then, and some already have. So be ready. The DTV transition has many benefits. It'll free up frequencies for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, provide frequencies for advanced wireless services, and allow TV broadcast stations to offer more programming with better picture and sound quality.

If you have an analog television that receives free over-the-air programming with a broadcast antenna (such as “rabbit ears” on your set or an antenna on your roof), you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box in order to watch digital broadcast television. Each U.S. household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of 2 digital-to-analog converter boxes. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing. For more information on the Coupon Program, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).)

If you subscribe to satellite TV (also known as “Direct Broadcast Satellite” or “DBS”) and your TVs receive local television stations through your satellite dish, these TVs are already prepared for the DTV transition. However, if you do not receive local broadcast stations through your satellite dish, you may be receiving them with a broadcast antenna, such as rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna. You should check with your satellite TV provider to find out if you can receive local broadcast stations through your satellite dish. If you cannot, or if you choose not to subscribe to a package that provides the local stations through your dish, you may need a digital-to-analog converter box to view digital broadcast programming on an analog TV. You also should check with your provider to find out if satellite TV set-top boxes are available that include a digital broadcast tuner. You may be able to rent or purchase these from your provider, or you may be able to purchase them from an electronics retailer. If your satellite TV set-top box has a digital broadcast tuner, you should not need a separate digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcast programming on an analog TV.

For more information about the DTV transition, go to www.dtv.gov or contact the FCC by e-mailing dtvinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.

Service Options for Satellite Television Subscribers

2009-07-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

Background

Subscribers to satellite television service today have options for receiving broadcasts from local TV stations. Since 1999, many satellite subscribers have been able to receive local stations from their satellite TV provider using their satellite systems. This option, called “local-into-local” service, became available with the enactment of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999 (SHVIA).

SHVIA permits satellite TV companies to provide a local TV station’s signal to the company’s subscribers in that station’s market, or Designated Market Area (DMA), as defined by Nielsen Media Research. SHVIA also permits satellite TV companies to provide “distant” TV stations, or stations outside the subscriber’s local television market or DMA, to eligible subscribers. For example, satellite TV companies can provide an eligible subscriber living in Billings, Montana a station from Los Angeles, California. In 2004, Congress enacted the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (SHVERA), which expanded programming options by allowing satellite TV companies to offer certain “significantly viewed” distant stations.

Another alternative for a subscriber to view local stations, regardless of whether or not their satellite TV company offers local-into-local service, is to install a traditional “rabbit ear” or roof-top antenna in conjunction with a satellite antenna to receive local TV stations for no charge. A subscriber’s ability to receive such over-the-air signals, however, depends on several factors, including geographic location and antenna quality.

Reception of Local TV Stations

SHVIA and SHVERA do not require satellite TV companies to offer local channels. Rather, they permit satellite companies to provide “local-into-local” service.

A satellite TV company that chooses to provide local-into-local service must provide subscribers with all of the local broadcast TV stations assigned to the subscriber’s DMA that have asked the satellite TV company to carry them. Typically, satellite TV companies also include local Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and other noncommercial stations in their local-into-local service offering. If a TV network has more than one local TV station affiliated with it operating in a particular state within the same market, the satellite TV company is required to carry only one of the stations. Check with your satellite TV company to determine your DMA, whether the company offers local-into-local service, and what stations are included in the service.

Remember, if your satellite TV company doesn’t offer local stations as part of your subscription, you can always install a rabbit ear or roof-top TV antenna to receive local stations over-the-air. To receive stations in this manner after the digital television (DTV) transition is completed on June 12, 2009, however, you may need additional equipment. Do not wait until June 12th to be ready. Your local broadcasters may be transitioning early, and you need to be prepared. Contact your satellite TV company to find out. You can get more information about the DTV transition for satellite TV service by viewing the FCC consumer advisory at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvsatellite.html, or visit www.dtv.gov.

Receiving Stations Outside the Local Market or “Distant” Signals
If your satellite TV company does not offer local-into-local service and you are deemed “unserved,” you may be eligible to receive distant signals, or stations that originate outside of your DMA.

The term “unserved household” includes a household or subscriber that:

* cannot receive, through the use of a conventional, stationary, outdoor rooftop antenna, an over-the-air network signal of Grade B intensity as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC);
* has a satellite dish that is permanently attached to a recreational vehicle or a commercial truck; or
* is subject to a waiver granted by the local TV station, if the household or subscriber is not predicted to be unserved. (The satellite TV company must request this waiver from the television station for the subscriber.)

Using a computer model, your satellite TV company can tell you if you are predicted to be “unserved.” If you are not predicted to be unserved, you will need waivers from local TV stations to receive distant signals. You may be eligible to receive distant digital signals if you are “unserved” by over-the-air analog signals.

As with local signals, your satellite TV company determines whether to provide distant signals to eligible subscribers and which distant signals to offer. Satellite TV companies also may charge an additional fee to local subscribers for these distant signals. If you qualify as an “unserved household,” you are eligible to receive no more than two distant network-affiliated signals per day for each TV network. Even if you qualify as an unserved household, you cannot receive digital programming aired at an earlier time than it would be aired by local stations in your time zone.

The 2004 SHVERA statute changed distant signal eligibility in some circumstances:

* If, as of December 8, 2004, you received distant signals because you lived in an unserved household, you may also receive local stations if the satellite TV company currently offers them, or introduces new local-into-local service in the future. If, as of December 8, 2004, you did not receive or try to receive distant signals, you are not eligible for distant service if local channels are offered.
* Alternatively, you may be receiving distant signals because you are a “grandfathered subscriber.” Check with your satellite TV company to determine whether you are grandfathered and what distant and local signals you may receive.
* You may be receiving distant signals because you received a waiver from one or more television stations that are predicted to serve your household. If you have such a waiver, you may continue to receive distant signals with any necessary additional equipment after completion of the DTV transition on June 12, 2009, and you also may subscribe to local-into-local service.

Reception of “Significantly-Viewed” Stations

If you subscribe to local-into-local service and don’t qualify as an “unserved household,” you may be eligible to receive some distant stations if those stations are considered “significantly-viewed.” Your satellite TV company decides whether and which significantly-viewed stations to offer. You must be subscribing to local-into-local service to be eligible to receive significantly-viewed stations. Check with your satellite TV company to see if you qualify and what stations are on the significantly-viewed list for your area.

Receiving Digital Signals

Satellite TV companies are offering local-into-local digital signals, including high definition (HD) signals. If a satellite TV company is offering local-into-local digital signals, it is not allowed to offer you distant digital signals, unless you were receiving them prior to December 8, 2004. If your satellite TV company does not offer local-into-local digital signals, you may still be able to receive them, including HDTV signals, over-the-air using a “rabbit ear” or roof-top antenna. Additional equipment may be required. If you are an “unserved” subscriber, you also may be eligible to receive distant digital signals, although your satellite TV company is not required to offer them.

Filing a Complaint

If you have a problem with your satellite TV service, first try to resolve it directly with your satellite TV company. If you can’t resolve the problem directly, you can file a complaint concerning issues other than the availability of local and distant broadcast network signals with the FCC. You can file your complaint using an FCC on-line form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

What to Include in Your Complaint

The best way to provide all the information the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint form. When you open the on-line complaint form, you will be asked a series of questions that will take you to the particular section of the form you need to complete. If you do not use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:

* your name, address, email address, and phone number where you can be reached;
* name, phone number, and location (city and state) of the company that you are complaining about; and
* any additional details of your complaint, including time, date, and nature of the conduct or activity you are complaining about and identifying information for any companies, organizations, or individuals involved.

Commissioner Copps' Remarks on the Digital Television Transition at the FCC

2009-07-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

STATEMENT OF FCC COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS ON THE DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION JULY 2, 2009 AGENDA MEETING

I think I can sum up my feelings and the feelings of the entire FCC staff in a single word: “Whew!”

This has been quite a ride. Long before I became Acting Chair in late January, I knew we were nowhere near ready for a transition on February 17. In January we inherited the wind rather than a real and coordinated public-private partnership to deal with the impending chaos. So I first want to thank Congress and the President for the DTV Delay Act and then for making resources available through the Recovery Act to use the extra time to make a real difference.

While it was not possible to compress into 4 short months all that should have been done in the previous 4 or more years, we tried to do everything possible to make up for lost time. And with the tireless efforts of my colleagues, our totally awesome FCC team, and our public and private partners, we were able to make a lot of progress. We cut the number of completely unprepared households by over 65 percent. Just as importantly, the call center, in-home assistance and other measures we were able to put in place meant that, where consumer disruption did occur—and I had long warned it would occur—we were able to respond more quickly and comprehensively than would have been possible only a few months earlier.

This was, I believe, the most extensive and finest effort I’ve been part of in my 30-plus years of public service. Now, if anyone asks whether public-private partnerships can really work, point them to DTV. If anyone asks whether government can work quickly and efficiently, or if it can conduct effective consumer outreach, point them to DTV. And if anyone needs an example of what true public service looks like, tell them to look no further than at the hundreds of Commission staffers here and around the country who have been devoting themselves right up until today to making the transition work.

In fact, the transition is such a singular event that we should not let the opportunity slip by to learn what we can from it. As Acting Chairman, I told our folks we needed to develop a comprehensive “lessons learned” report that will capture what we just went through—what went right, what could have gone better, and what we learned about how to make future transitions and changes as painless as possible for consumers.

I’ve often wished that someone had created such a report after Y2K. The transitions were obviously very different and required very different things of the American people. Still, it would have been a tremendous help to have a record of how they went about trying to educate and support consumers leading up to Y2K, and how government and the private sector coordinated to prepare the country in that case.

There is so much to be mined from the DTV experience: setting up and publicizing a national call center; consumer outreach; the close coordination with the Commerce Department and other government agencies from federal to hyper-local; the unique partnerships with groups like AmeriCorps and the International Fire Chiefs; and the way we turned a cozy little agency on the banks of the Potomac into a grass-roots organization in every market in the country.

These lessons seem so immediate now, but the natural course is for them to fade with time. So we need to compile, write down, and preserve them now. Future Commissions and future transitions will thank us.

By creating a “lessons learned” report, I don’t mean to imply that the transition is over. Far from it. As I’ve said many times, the transition did not end on June 12. It is a continuing process that will take place over coming weeks and months—and for our low power TV service, over the coming years.

The great majority of our full-power stations—and their viewers—made it through June 12 without lingering problems. But, as with any transition of this magnitude, there are issues still to be worked through. Technology changes are seldom if ever painless and when they don’t get the attention they deserve until the last minute, some level of disruption is guaranteed. But as you heard today, our team—working with affected consumers and the stations serving them—will stay with it until these problems are resolved.

Since this may be one of the final DTV updates at our monthly meetings, it is time to say another “thank you” to our FCC team and to everyone involved, for the amazing work they did:

First and foremost, our wonderful and dedicated FCC staff. From across every bureau and office, from the top down, these folks engaged. They gave their talent, their energy, and a commitment to succeed like I’ve never seen before. It wasn’t just a job for them—it was a mission. And the determination they had to succeed is the enduring memory that I will take with me of this whole exercise.
My colleagues Rob McDowell and Jonathan Adelstein for their tireless leadership and their work, both inside this building and in dozens of cities around the nation, to help folks get prepared. Our call center operation without Rob and our consumer outreach without Jonathan would have been far less effective than they were.
I thank my new colleague and Chairman for all his tireless DTV efforts to come. As I said, this transition isn't over, but I know that under his leadership we will stay on the job until it is done and done well.
Our colleagues at the Commerce Department, other government agencies and the White House, with whom we worked closely and collaboratively over these past 5 months.
Our industry partners who stepped up impressively, both in preparing themselves and preparing consumers for the switch—not only broadcasters around the country, but cable, satellite, consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers.
And all of the community, church, civic and civil rights groups, local governments and many, many others who reached out to friends, relatives and neighbors to make this transition happen as smoothly as it could.

The country owes you all a debt of gratitude. And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you as well.

Earthquakes, From Above and Below: Live Chat

2009-07-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

Earthquakes: they are among the most frightening and deadly of all natural disasters. A live videocast and chat from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will give viewers an opportunity to ask questions of NASA scientists who are using space-based technologies to advance our understanding of these mysterious phenomena.

The live event will air on the "NASAJPL" channel available on Ustream TV at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasajpl on Monday, July 6, beginning at 5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT and 2400 UTC).

Scientists use a broad array of tools to study earthquakes and their processes from the ground, air and space. Space-based technologies like those being developed at JPL can image minute Earth movements to within fractions of an inch, measuring the ground deforming along faults before and after earthquakes. Among these tools are the Global Positioning System, interferometric synthetic aperture radar, and the latest technology JPL is now using to map major California earthquake faults: the Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar, or UAVSAR. JPL scientists are also applying complex computer models to simulate earthquake processes.

Participants include:

Andrea Donnellan, JPL geophysicist and program area lead for natural disasters in NASA Headquarters' Science Mission Directorate, Washington
Maggi Glasscoe, JPL geophysicist

Viewers may submit questions over Ustream or via Twitter. Twitter users may send their questions to @NASAJPL using the hashtag #quakechat .

In addition, if you are unable to take part in the live chat, you may submit questions in advance to chatquestion@jpl.nasa.gov and watch the archived video at a later time.

More information about JPL's earthquake research is available at: http://uavsar.jpl.nasa.gov and http://quakesim.jpl.nasa.gov .

JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.

Nobel Prize Winner and NASA's Blueshift Podcast Take You on a Data Journey

2009-07-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

Dr. John Mather, a Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. joined the Blueshift podcast on June 18th to share his sense of what makes scientific data beautiful. "I think it's worth a lot of attention to portraying the information in the best possible graphic way," he said. "Data are beautiful when they tell a story."

Blueshift, a series of podcasts produced by Goddard's Astrophysics Science Division, offers listeners a backstage pass to the division's groundbreaking discoveries, innovative technology, new missions, and other exciting stories.

"Blueshift's summer series kicks off with Dr. Mather's interview," said Sara Mitchell, Director of Blueshift."This four part series will follow the stories of missions, scientists, and iconic images as we see how science data is captured and communicated." Podcast listeners will find additional material and images related to each show on the Blueshift web site.

In the episode, John Mather describes how science and data are communicated -- and the absolute importance of imagery to share data so the world can understand it. In 2006, both he and George Smoot at the University of California, Berkeley, Calif., shared the Nobel Prize in Physics. They won for their work on NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer, a satellite that mapped radiation emitted when the universe was less than 400,000 years. The mission created the first-ever "baby picture" of the cosmos.

If you think that satellites just relay the images that we see here on Earth, you'll be in for a big surprise. Dr. Mather discusses how data are assembled, polished and transformed into images, animations and illustrations.

Mather also describes how the new James Webb Space Telescope, slated for launch in 2014, will build upon the valuable science and breathtaking imagery of Hubble. Webb will see the most distant objects in the cosmos and take astrophysicists further back in time than ever before!

The term "blueshift" relates to a change in the spectrum of an object that is moving toward us. "We chose Blueshift because we aim to bring the universe of astrophysics at Goddard directly to our listeners," Mitchell said.

To learn more about Blueshift, subscribe to the podcast or listen to archived episodes, please visit:

http://universe.nasa.gov/blueshift

FCC Commences First-Come, First-Served Digital Licensing for Rural LPTV and TV Translators Beginning August 25, 2009

2009-06-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

FCC Commences First-Come, First-Served Digital Licensing for Rural LPTV and TV Translators Beginning August 25, 2009 and for Nationwide LPTV and TV Translator Services Beginning January 25, 2010.

To ensure continued service for viewers of low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations in the rural portions of the United States and to assist stations in these areas with their transition to digital, we announce a rural digital filing opportunity for these services. Beginning August 25, 2009 we will permit the filing of applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations in rural areas, for major changes to existing analog and digital LPTV and TV translator facilities in those areas, and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels. No applications for new analog facilities will be accepted. As outlined below, this filing opportunity will be subject to a geographic restriction and to first-come, first-served processing.

In addition, to further assist all LPTV and TV translator stations in their transition to digital, we will begin accepting applications on a nationwide, first-come, first-served basis for new digital-only LPTV and TV translators stations, for major modifications to existing analog and digital stations in these services, and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels without geographic restriction on January 25, 2010. No applications for new analog facilities will be accepted.

We remind incumbent LPTV, TV translator, and Class A television stations that they may file an application for on-channel digital conversion or flash-cut at any time. So that they may retain processing priority, we encourage those incumbent stations that have not already done so to file their flash-cut applications prior to the commencement of first-come, first-served digital licensing. We are providing notice so that incumbent stations and their technical consultants will have sufficient time to prepare and to file their flash-cut applications prior to the commencements of both the rural and nationwide first-come, first-served digital licensing opportunities.

We also remind applicants that additional adjustments in the facilities and assigned channels of full-power television broadcast stations may be required as the transition of that service to digital mode is optimized. These adjustments, the extent of which is not fully known at this time, could have an adverse impact, including displacement, on applicants filing under the procedures in this Public Notice.

Filings Procedures

Beginning August 25, 2009, all interested parties including incumbent LPTV and TV translator stations, may begin filing applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations, for major changes to existing analog and digital facilities and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels, where such applications specify transmitting antenna site coordinates (geographic latitude and longitude) located more than 121 kilometers (75 miles) from the reference coordinates of the cities listed in below. These applications will be filed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be “cut-off” daily.

Beginning January 25, 2010, all interested parties, including incumbent LPTV and TV translator stations, may begin filing applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations, for major changes to existing analog and digital LPTV and TV translator stations, and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels without geographic restriction. Such applications will be filed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be “cut-off” daily.

All applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations or for major changes to existing digital or analog LPTV and TV translator stations are subject to a $705.00 filing fee. There is no application filing fee for the submission of a flash-cut or digital companion channel application, or for applications for replacement digital translator stations as these applications are for minor changes. Applicants must file their applications electronically using FCC Form 346. Paper-filed applications will not be accepted. Instructions for use of the electronic filing system are available in the CDBS User’s Guide, which can be accessed from the electronic filing web site at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/cdbs.html. For assistance with electronic filing, call the Media Bureau Help Desk at (202) 418-26MB (418-2662).

Important Reminders. All mutually exclusive applications will be resolved by competitive bidding (auctions).

Applications for new digital LPTV and TV translator stations and for replacement digital translators may only be filed for in-core channels 2-51.

Applicants proposing digital companion channels on channels 52-59 must certify in their long form application the unavailability of any suitable in-core channel. “Suitable in-core channel” is defined as one that would enable the station to produce a digital service area comparable to its analog service area. In addition, Section 74.786(d) of the Commission’s rules provides that applicants proposing digital companion channels on channels 52-59 must notify all potentially affected 700 MHz band wireless licensees of the spectrum comprising the proposed TV channel and the spectrum in the first adjacent channels thereto not later than 30 days prior to the submission of their long form application. Specifically, notification is required to wireless licensees within whose licensed geographic boundaries a digital LPTV or TV translator station is proposed to be located. Notification is also required to co-channel and first adjacent channel licensees whose geographic service area boundaries lie within 75 miles and 50 miles, respectively, of the proposed digital LPTV and TV translator station location. The identity and contact information for all wireless entities in the 700 MHz band is available through the Universal Licensing System (ULS) on the Commission web site (www.fcc.gov). Digital companion channel facilities on channels 52-59 may operate on a secondary basis as long as they do not technically conflict with the operations of a primary service licensee. Digital companion channel authorizations will be explicitly conditioned to that effect.

We remind applicants of the following important rules and policies that apply during this filing opportunity:

Only existing low power station permittees and licensees are permitted to file for a digital companion channel;

Applicants for digital companion channels will be required to identify their associated analog station and must propose to serve the community of license of their associated analog facility;

Incumbent stations may continue to file applications to flash-cut their existing analog stations to digital;

Stations with a construction permit, license or pending application for a digital companion channel may not file for a second digital companion channel;

Stations seeking digital operation must choose between an on-channel digital conversion of their analog station or operating a digital companion channel station;

Any station that has a license, construction permit, or pending application for on-channel digital conversion will not be eligible to submit an application for a companion digital channel for the same station, and any such companion digital channel application will be dismissed;

Stations that receive a digital companion channel will be required at a future date to return either their analog channel or companion channel to the Commission; and

Class A stations are on notice that all digital companion channels will be licensed as LPTV channels on a secondary, non-interference basis.

Applications for new digital low power television and TV translator stations and analog and digital major changes to existing low power television and TV translator stations filed during the limited filing opportunity beginning August 25, 2009 may not propose new or modified facilities located within 121 kilometers (75 miles) of the reference coordinates listed below for the following cities. Source of cities: January 1, 2008 Nielsen Media Research Estimates. Source of coordinates: Section 76.53 of the Commission’s Rules.

DMA RANKING	MARKET	NORTH LATITUDE	WEST LONGITUDE
1	New York City, New York	40-45-06	073-59-39
2	Los Angeles, California	34-03-15	118-14-28
3	Chicago, Illinois	41-52-28	87-38-22
4	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	39-56-58	75-9-21
5	Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas	32-47-09	096-47-37
6	San Francisco, California	37-46-39	122-24-40
7	Boston, Massachusetts	42-21-24	71-3-25
8	Atlanta, Georgia	33-45-10	84-23-37
9	Washington, District of Columbia	38-53-51	77-0-33
10	Houston, Texas	29-45-26	95-21-37
11	Detroit, Michigan	42-19-48	83-2-57
12	Phoenix, Arizona	33-27-12	112-4-28
13	Tampa, Florida	27-56-58	82-27-26
14	Seattle, Washington	47-36-32	122-20-12
15	Minneapolis, Minnesota	44-58-57	93-15-43
16	Miami, Florida	25-46-37	80-11-32
17	Cleveland, Ohio	41-29-51	81-41-50
18	Denver, Colorado	39-44-58	104-59-22
19	Orlando, Florida	28-32-42	81-22-38
20	Sacramento, California	38-34-57	122-23-34
21	St. Louis, Missouri	38-37-45	90-12-22
22	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	40-26-19	80-0-0
23	Portland, Oregon	45-31-6	122-40-35
24	Baltimore, Maryland	39-17-26	76-36-45
25	Charlotte, North Carolina	35-13-44	80-50-45
26	Indianapolis, Indiana	39-46-7	86-9-46
27	San Diego, California	32-42-53	117-9-21
28	Raleigh, North Carolina	35-46-38	78-38-21
29	Hartford, Connecticut	41-46-12	72-40-49
30	Nashville, Tennessee	36-9-33	86-46-55
31	Kansas City, Missouri	39-4-56	94-35-20
32	Columbus, Ohio	39-57-47	83-0-17
33	Cincinnati, Ohio	39-6-7	84-30-35
34	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	43-2-19	87-54-15
35	Salt Lake City, Utah	40-45-23	111-51-26
36	Greenville, South Carolina	34-50-50	82-24-1
37	San Antonio, Texas	29-25-37	98-29-6
38	West Palm Beach, Florida	26-42-36	80-3-5
39	Grand Rapids, Michigan	42-58-3	85-40-13
40	Birmingham, Alabama	33-31-1	86-48-36
41	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	40-15-43	76-52-59
42	Norfolk, Virginia	36-51-10	76-17-21
43	Las Vegas, Nevada	36-10-20	115-8-37
44	Albuquerque, New Mexico	35-5-1	106-39-5
45	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	35-28-26	97-31-4
46	Greensboro, North Carolina	36-4-17	79-47-25
47	Memphis, Tennessee	35-8-46	90-3-13
48	Louisville, Kentucky	38-14-47	85-45-49
49	Jacksonville, Florida	30-19-44	81-39-42
50	Buffalo, New York	42-52-52	78-52-21
51	Austin, Texas	30-16-9	97-44-37
52	Providence, Rhode Island	41-49-32	71-24-41
53	New Orleans, Louisiana	29-56-53	90-4-10
54	Scranton, Pennsylvania	41-24-32	75-39-46
55	Fresno, California	36-44-12	119-47-11
56	Albany, New York	42-39-1	73-45-1
57	Little Rock, Arkansas	34-44-52	92-16-37
58	Knoxville, Tennessee	35-57-39	83-55-7
59	Richmond, Virginia	37-32-15	77-26-9
60	Tulsa, Oklahoma	36-9-12	95-59-34
61	Mobile, Alabama	30-41-36	88-2-33
62	Dayton, Ohio	39-45-32	84-11-43
63	Fort Myers, Florida	26-38-42	81-52-6
64	Lexington, Kentucky	38-2-50	84-29-46
65	Huntington, West Virginia	38-25-12	82-26-33
66	Flint, Michigan	43-0-50	83-41-33
67	Roanoke, Virginia	37-16-13	79-56-44
68	Tucson, Arizona	32-13-15	110-58-8
69	Wichita, Kansas	37-41-30	97-20-16
70	Green Bay, Wisconsin	44-30-48	88-0-50
71	Des Moines, Iowa	41-35-14	93-37-0
72	Toledo, Ohio	41-39-14	83-32-39
73	Honolulu, Hawaii	21-18-36	157-51-48
74	Springfield, Missouri	37-13-3	93-17-32
75	Omaha, Nebraska	41-15-42	95-56-14
76	Portland, Maine	43-39-33	70-15-19
77	Spokane, Washington	47-39-32	117-25-33
78	Rochester, New York	43-9-41	77-36-21
79	Paducah, Kentucky	37-5-13	88-35-56
80	Syracuse, New York	43-3-4	76-9-14
81	Columbia, South Carolina	34-0-2	81-2-0
82	Shreveport, Louisiana	32-30-46	93-44-58
83	Huntsville, Alabama	34-44-18	86-35-19
84	Champaign, Illinois	40-7-5	88-14-48
85	Madison, Wisconsin	43-4-23	89-22-55
86	Chattanooga, Tennessee	35-2-41	85-18-32
87	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	41-58-48	91-39-48
88	Harlingen, Texas	26-11-29	97-41-35
89	South Bend, Indiana	43-40-33	86-15-1
90	Jackson, Mississippi	32-17-56	90-11-6
91	Johnson City, Tennessee	36-19-4	82-20-56
92	Burlington, Vermont/ Plattsburgh, New York	44-28-34	73-12-46
93	Colorado Springs, Colorado	38-50-7	104-49-16
94	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	30-26-58	91-11-0
95	Waco, Texas	31-33-12	97-8-0
96	Davenport, Iowa	41-31-24	90-34-21
97	Savannah, Georgia	32-4-42	81-5-37
98	El Paso, Texas	31-45-36	106-29-21
99	Johnstown, Pennsylvania	40-19-35	78-55-3
100	Charleston, South Carolina	32-46-35	79-55-53

If you have any questions, please contact Hossein Hashemzadeh (technical) or Shaun Maher (legal) of the Video Division, Media Bureau at (202) 418-1600.

Media Bureau Releases Updated Form 388 for Broadcasters That Completed Their Transition After March 31, 2009 to Report DTV Consumer Education Activiti

2009-06-29T02:45:00.000-07:00

On March 13, 2009, the Commission adopted the Third Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration in the Commission’s proceeding regarding the delay of the digital television (DTV) transition. Among other things, the Order revised the rules requiring television stations to provide consumers with information about the digital television transition. Television broadcasters are required to file quarterly reports regarding their DTV consumer education activities using the “DTV Quarterly Activity Station Report”(FCC Form 388). The Media Bureau has updated Form 388 so that stations can report their compliance with the revised DTV consumer education rules.

This updated DTV Quarterly Activity Station Report must be filed by every station that had not completed construction and commenced operation of their full authorized post-transition digital facility by March 31, 2009, and that as a result had consumer education obligations in the second quarter of 2009. For most of these stations, the Form 388 describing the second quarter will be the last quarterly report they are required to file. However, stations that have not completed construction of their full authorized facility, including stations operating pursuant to STA for a phased transition or other extension, must continue providing on-air consumer education until they complete and commence operation on their full authorized post-transition digital facility, and must file this updated Form 388 for each quarter in which the consumer education obligations apply.

Form 388 must be filed in the Commission’s Consolidated Database System (CDBS), and will be available there no later than July 1, 2009. Stations that began their filing early must transfer their information to the “June 2009” version of the form. Older versions of the form will not be accepted for filing. We remind all stations to place their completed Form 388s in the station’s Public Inspection File and post it on their website. These copies must be made available for at least one year after they are filed with the Commission.

For additional information, contact Lyle Elder, Lyle.Elder@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, at (202) 418-2120; or Hossein Hashemzadeh, Hossein.Hashemzadeh@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Video Division, at (202) 418-1658.

By the Acting Chief, Media Bureau.

For more information visit www.fcc.gov, www.dtv.gov

One Day Until DTV Transition

2009-06-26T23:09:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON—On the eve of an historic technological transition to digital television, the focus for the two federal agencies managing the switch is on helping Americans who are at risk of losing their TV signals.

The digital TV (DTV) transition began over two decades ago as engineers set an ambitious technological goal: moving broadcast television into the digital age. Efficient digital technology would provide consumers with a better picture and sound and more channels, while at the same time clearing valuable airwaves to meet the explosive demand for advanced wireless services, including first-responder radio.

The transition also had a policy goal: to make the switch with as little disruption to the public as possible. That’s why the Federal Communications Commission and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration are intently focused on making sure as few people as possible lose access to the valuable news, information and entertainment programming they count on.

Just as the transition is an unprecedented engineering feat, it also involves an unprecedented community outreach effort by the agencies to households most affected by the transition. Those households include low-income families, senior citizens, minority and non-English speaking households and people with disabilities.

“In any change this big, there are going to be disruptions,” said FCC Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps. “We are trying our best to provide people, especially those who are most at-risk, with the help they need to make the switch as smoothly as possible. And we’re going to keep offering it after June 12, so people should call us at 1-888-CALL-FCC.”

“The nation’s DTV transition is a tremendous undertaking,” said NTIA Acting Administrator Anna M. Gomez. “The overwhelming majority of Americans are prepared, but despite our best efforts, some will lose television service tomorrow. Consumers should know that even after June 12, they can still apply for coupons to help them purchase TV converter boxes.”

Outreach and resources offered by the two agencies include:

Distribution of 59 million $40 coupons for TV converter boxes
Redemption of nearly 31 million coupons
Continued availability of TV converter box coupons for consumers who apply up until July 31, while supplies last, at www.dtv2009.gov, 1-888-DTV-2009, and also by fax and mail
Establishment of over 600 walk-in centers providing hands-on help
Assistance for consumers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing through Communication Services for the Deaf at 1-877-388-4968, 1-877-889-4279 (TTY), 1-866-351-1950 (video phone), 1-888-CALL-F CC, and www.c-s-d.org
Capacity for up to 200,000 home installations of converter boxes by FCC Contractors
Home installation of converter boxes by AmeriCorps volunteers in 30 markets
In-home installation available from 57 fire departments nationwide
In-home and walk-in services available through June, and in some cases, through July
Toll-free call center, 1-888-CALL-FCC, which expanded to 24-hour operations yesterday, with 4,000 agents on duty over the next few days
Over 200 FCC employees sent to every state and every market in the country to educate the public about preparing for the transition
Help with applying for coupons and installing converter boxes for more than 350,000 consumers in more than 180 cities provided by NTIA grantees, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), plus coupon donation programs in over 30 cities
Over 50 visits by FCC Commissioners and Department of Commerce officials to markets nationwide
Upgraded www.dtv.gov has received more than 24 million hits in May alone, providing consumer-friendly information about the transition
Reception information searchable by zip code at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/
Helpful “DTV Made Easy” brochure by Consumer’s Union, which became the most popular document on the DTV Website at http://www.dtv.gov/imagesnew/home_ban_cu_brochure.jpg
Extensive media outreach in home stretch, reaching 5,000 media outlets with releases detailing local statistics and events, satellite media tours reaching 18 target markets, radio actualities reaching 5,000 stations, daily “countdown” releases generating press coverage, radio PSAs in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Simple Chinese, and more
Engagement of more than 1300 community-based organizations serving at-risk populations to educate consumers on DTV readiness
Collaboration with hundreds of local elected officials serving at-risk populations to ensure their constituents know about the extensive help available to get ready
NTIA’s Mobile Assistance Centers
DTV clinics on wheels at more than 211 events, helping close to 38,000consumers with more than 5,700 coupon applications and distributing 31,000 pieces of information

Resources for reporters covering the DTV transition are available in the DTV Media Toolkit at http://www.dtv.gov/media_toolkit.html.

TV Converter Box Coupons are Still Available - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Assures Americans

2009-06-25T23:32:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON — U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today assured Americans who are still not digital-television (DTV) ready that converter box coupons are still available and that outreach will continue to those consumers who rely on free over-the-air broadcasting.

“We made tremendous gains in the last 4 months in preparing Americans for the transition to digital broadcasting, but our work is not done,” Locke said. “We will continue to inform unprepared Americans that $40 coupons for TV converter boxes are still available so they have access to the news and emergency broadcast information they need.”

Last week, the Department of Commerce’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program received requests for nearly 1.7 million coupons from Monday, June 8, through Sunday, June 14—with approximately 428,000 requested on Friday, the day the national switch to digital occurred. During that period, retailers redeemed more than one million converter box coupons. In addition, the Coupon Program’s call center handled 1.38 million calls last week.

Even though the transition is complete, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will continue to provide consumer assistance. TV converter box coupons will remain available to consumers who apply until July 31, while supplies last. In addition:

The TV Converter Box Coupon Program website www.dtv2009.gov will be updated and its toll-free number – 1-888-DTV-2009 – will stay running, with both English- and Spanish-speaking operators.

Targeted radio ads will continue.

NTIA consumer outreach grantees—The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) and The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)—will continue providing information and assistance to targeted populations.

The Coupon Program will continue making coupon request and redemption data available to retailers to help them manage converter box inventory.

NTIA embarked on an unprecedented consumer education and awareness campaign in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and other federal agencies, state and local governments, members of Congress, consumer groups, and industry. During the past four months, NTIA's outreach efforts included:

Ads in approximately 700 media outlets nationwide that reach minority communities.

A public service campaign targeted to public transportation riders with ads in transit shelters, bus interiors, on the outside of buses and on bus benches. Total ridership on the buses that displayed the Coupon Program information was 59.6 million.

Mobile Assistance Centers–DTV clinics on wheels–bringing information and assistance to dozens of cities with 211 events nationwide.

Meanwhile, Locke’s outreach included more than 5 dozen DTV interviews and events:

Television and radio interviews in more than 2 dozen of the most unprepared markets to educate consumers about the transition.

DTV events in Los Angeles with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in Sacramento with Mayor Kevin Johnson, and in Baltimore with Governor Martin O’Malley.

Interviews in every major Hispanic/Latino media outlet in the country, including El Piolin, Univision and Telemundo, and top outlets geared toward African American audiences, including the Tom Joyner show and BET’s “106 and Park.”

The efforts significantly cut unpreparedness numbers.

The transition to digital broadcasting will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders. In addition, digital broadcasting provides a clearer picture and more programming choices for many consumers. Consumers can go to www.dtv2009.gov for more information.

Broadcast Latest Space Station Tour and Experiment in HDTV from NASA

2009-06-25T02:04:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON - NASA Television will broadcast a high-definition Television(HDTV) tour of the International Space Station recorded by the Expedition 20 crew starting at 10 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 24. Also broadcast in HD will be an explanation of a Canadian experiment on the station that examines how humans perceive up and down without gravity as a reference.

The 20-minute tour, which documents the full 167 feet of the space station's pressurized modules, was recorded by NASA Flight Engineer Michael Barratt to show Mission Control how equipment and supplies are arranged and stored, and to provide engineers with a detailed assessment of each module-to-module hatchway.

A 5-minute explanation by Canadian Space Agency Flight Engineer Bob Thirsk provides an overview of the Bodies In the Space Environment, or BISE, experiment. The experiment looks at the relative contributions of internal and external cues that allow humans to orient themselves in the absence of gravity. The principal investigator for the BISE experiment is Laurence R. Harris, of York University, North York, Ontario, Canada.

The NASA Television HD feed (Channel 105) will broadcast the items every hour on the hour, beginning at 10 a.m. The videos also will be broadcast in standard-definition format on the NASA Television Public and Media Channels VideoFile beginning at 10 a.m.

NASA TV Downlink Parameters are:

Uplink provider = Americom

Satellite = AMC 6

Transponder = 17C

72 Degrees West

Transmission Format: DVB-S

Downlink Frequency: 4040 MHz

Polarity: Vertical

FEC= 3/4

Data Rate= 36.860 MHz

Symbol Rate = 26.665 Ms/s

For NASA TV HD Programming:HD Program = 105

HD Program = 105

Video PID = 82

AC-3 Audio PID = 238

MPEG-1 Layer II Audio PID =83

For NASA TV streaming video, VideoFile, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Welcome

2009-06-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

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