WikiLeaks Document Release http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 February 2, 2009

Congressional Research Service Report RL31260 Digital Television: An Overview Lennard G. Kruger, Resources, Science and Industry Division

January 11, 2008

Abstract. A key issue in the Congressional debate over the digital transition continues to be addressing the millions of American over-the-air households whose existing analog televisions will require converter boxes in order to receive digital signals when the analog signal is turned off. P.L. 109-171 established a digital-to-analog converter box program - administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce - that will partially subsidize consumer purchases of converter boxes. Specifically, Congress is actively overseeing the activities of federal agencies responsible for the digital transition - the FCC and the NTIA - while assessing whether additional federal efforts are necessary, particularly with respect to public education and outreach. http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Resources, Science, andIndustry Division Specialist inScience andTechnology Updated January 11,2008 Digital Television: Lennard G. Kruger AnOverview Order Code RL31260 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 arenecessary,efforts particularly re with transition —theFCC and the NTIA — wh actively overseeing theactivitiesoffedera partially consumer subsidize purchases of Information Administration (NTIA) ofth program —ad converter box turnedoff. is signal when theanalog analog televisionswillrequire be addressing themillionsofAmerican 17, 2009. 109-171), whichestablisheda“datecertain” Summary widespread purchaseandadoptionby consum broadcasttelevisionstations, as well as cable and satellitetelevisionsystems; the and compelling programming; digital the delivery ofdigital signals toconsumers by successful deployment A requiresthe nationwide deployment ofdi servi new television (HDTV),andother color rendition,multiplevideoprogramming or DTV canprovidemovietheaterquality pict significantte developmentin spectrum to be auctioned for commercial se spectrum tobe auctioned analog analog andreturn signals their to existing their television cease broadcasting areas. market broadcasting their to signals for analog transmission sothat they can simultaneously transmit analog and digital were given new spectrum fordigital signals, while retaining their existing spectrum immediately purchasenewdigita DTVoveraperiodofyears,in phase to analog television broadcasting existing the through received system, decided FCC the (FCC) should belimitedtoex eligibility for any DTVlicenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission public safety, the109 homes, and given theimpetustoreclaim paceatwhich digital televisi expected service and didnothavedigita market of thetelevisionhouseholdsinits 105-33) allowedastationtode public safety communications. However, the Balanced Budget Act of(P.L. 1997 This reportwill beupdate A key issueinthe Congressional debate Digitalthe television most (DTV)isa new television service representing Congress andtheFCCsetatarget da 1996 of The TelecommunicationsAct Digital Television:AnOverview th Congress enactedtheDefic gital televisionisacomple levision technology sincethe ministered by the ministered Nationa l television setsorconverter l isting broadcasters.Because DTVsignals cannot be d aseventswarrant. converter boxes inorder converterboxes lay the return of itsanalog spectrumif15% or more l televisionsetsorconvert P.L. 109-171established ons have been introduced intoAmerican ons havebeenintroduced did notsubscribetoamulti-channel digital spect topubliceducation andoutreach. converter boxes. Specifically, converterboxes. Congress is analog spectrum for commercial usesand forcommercial analog spectrum over-the-airhouseholdswhoseexisting te ofDecember 31, 2006, forbroadcasters e DepartmentofCommerce—thatwill development by content providers of development by contentproviders sothatconsumerswouldnothaveto ile assessing whethe ces currently being developed.The rvices (suchasbroadband)orusedfor l agencies responsibleforthedigital l ures and sound, a wi a ures andsound, digital transitiondeadline of February over the digital transition continues to (P.L. 104-104)providedthatinitial ers ofdigital tele a single program of high definition high asingle of program it ReductionActof2005(P.L. x andmultifacetedenterprise. x l Telecommunicationsand s. Giventheslower-than- advent ofcolortelevision. to receivedigital signals ers. Thus,broadcasters vision equipment. r additionalfederal a digital-to-analog der screen,better http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Activities and Issues inthe 110 Activities and Issues inthe 109 Appendix A.BackgroundAppendix onSelectedPolicy Issues Activities inthe 108 Policy Issues Surrounding theDigital Transition Status oftheDTVBuildout Role of CongressWhat Is and Digital the FCC...... 1 Television?Contents ...... 1 P.L. 109-171:Deficit Conference ReportonS.1932 Senate Activities House Activities Low PowerSatellite Television and “Digital White Areas” TV...... 40Digital Conversionof Pub Cable/DTV Interoperability Standards Copyright ProtectionTechnology MandatingDigital Digital “Must Tuners Carry”“Broadcast ...... 30 ...... 29 Digital MulticastsandDownconversion Consumer Flag”NTIA Implementation Program ofConverterBox and Education the “Analog ...... 22 Hole” ...... 27 Consumer Purchase DeliveryCreation ofDigital Programming of Digital Signals...... 4 S. 1932:Digital Transitiona Digital TelevisionTr AnalogBroadcast Hole...... 34 Flag ...... 33 Cable ...... 5 Satellite Broadcasting ...... 5 Digital-to-Analog Conve Preserving and Expediting Tuner Mandates Consumer Receipts ofAuction Expenditures Other EducationDigital-to-Analog C Auction ...... 14 DTV of Transition Recovered Deadline Spectrum ...... 13 ...... 13 ...... 5 th Congress ...... 7 ...... 12 ...... 15 ofDTVProducts Reduction Actof2005 ...... 4 ansition Actof2005 th th lic Broadcasting Stations Congress ...... 10 Congress ...... 18 onverter Box Programonverter Box ...... 16 nd PublicSafety Actof2005 ...... 4 rsion and“MustCarry” ...... 32 ...... 6 ...... 35 ...... 24 ...... 6 ...... 16 ...... 13 ...... 40 ...... 29 ...... 14 ...... 19 ...... 37 ...... 14 ...... 14 ...... 14 ...... 15 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Table 2.Federal Funding forDigita C.LegislationAppendix inthe110 Table 1.DTVHearings Heldinthe110 ofTables List B. LegislationAppendix inthe109 Stations...... 39 Tower Sitin PublicFees forAncillary orSupplementalServices Interest Obligations of DTV Broadcasters ...... 44 g...... 46 th th l ConversionofPublicTelevision Cnrs eae oDgtlTlvso 47 . . Congress Related toDigital Television Cnrs eae oDgtlTlvso 49 . . Congress Related toDigital Television th Congress ...... 19 ...... 43 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260

definition television(HDTV), theFCC used was highsystem While the original term used todescribe the new television transition fromconventional decade-long seriesofproceedings expl inthedevelopment ofDT roles major television screens. ofreceivingcapable thedigital signal video disc(DVD).And satellite televisiontec DTV antennastransmission towers or on existing towers), transmitted by cable or a digital signal. Digital signals can be programming. equipment isdistinctfromwhatcurre content producedwithdigital camerasand experience. for consumers toenjoy a fully realized “high definition” television viewing for otherwirelessapplications. analog television,thereby conserving as digitalradiofrequency televisionthe uses spectrum more efficiently than traditional offered by cable Additionally, and satelliteproviders. television itisargued that to offer thesamekindsofdigitally-based broadcastsuperior quality toconsumers, DTVwillallow over-the-air broadcasters better thantoday’s television. television (SDTV),which isa lesser quality picture than HDTVbutsignificantly HDTV, orthe simultaneous transmission of television (HDTV),andothe multiple videoprogrammingrendition, or color quality pi DTV canprovidemovietheater significant developmentinte (ATV) —referring toany(ATV) television tec Congress andtheFederal Communica There arethreemajorcomponentsofDTVse cited forthe digital transition isthat asideThe rationalefromoffering often (DTV)isa new television service representingDigital television the most Digital Television:AnOverview First Second Role ofCongressandtheFCC , digital programming mustbeDigital available. programming is What IsDigitalTelevision? hnology, ordeliveredby aprereco , digital programming mustbe delivered tothe consumer via third levision technologylevision sincethe r new servicescurrentlyr being developed.DTVcanbe analog televisionsystems. televisions toadvanced , consumersmusthavea and displaying digital programming ontheir broadcast over the airwaves (requiring new broadcast overtheairwaves V. Starting in1987,theFCC launcheda carce resource (bandwidth) that can be used (bandwidth) thatcanbe resource carce hnology thatprovides improvedaudioand ntly usedtoproduceconventionalanalog services(suchaspay-per-view) currently oring thepotential and feasibility ofa other digital productionequipment.Such ctures andsound,awi multiple programsdefinitionstandard of tions Commission(FCC) haveplayed abroaderterm— a single program ofhigh definition rvice thatmustbepresentinorder rded sourcesuchasadigital digital television product digital television advent ofcolortelevision. advanced television der screen,better http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 spectrum toexisting1997. analogin stations power television stations that of 2002(P.L.107-188, H.R.3448,H.Rept.107-481)a 21, 1997. on Existing TelevisionService Impact without thischange, thosestationswould be de transition period to digital televisionwithout having to terminate analog service, and that provision will allow recent broadcastlicensees analog signal onitsdesignated digital channel. St extension. without thepossibility ofan provision isrequiredtocomplete constructionofitsdigital facility within 18months, application granted after April 3, 1997.Any an analog television station construction channel toany requesting full-power television granted DTVlicensestosome1600fullpow which fourhavesubs Committee (ATSC). transmission basedonrecommendations broadcasters, andcomputerfirms,the accurately. more newservice the describe to transmission, theFCC began (in1995)tousethetermDTV(synonymous with ATV) itbecameclearthat After video quality. 4 3 2 1 however, andtheFCC didnotobtainthe spectrum tobebetween$11billion$70 spectrum allocated forDTV.The FCC estimated the commercial value ofthe DTV a major debatetookplaceoverwhethertodi analogtheir existing channelorthenewdi digital television.Theactprovided that br analog licensestime retaining during the their transition existing fromanalog to existing broadcasters. Broadcasters wouldbe issued DTV licenses while at the same initial eligibility forany DTVlicenses the interlacedscanismore compatible with analog television receivers. progressive The scanvideo format(HDTV). are:480iand480p(suita techniques. These pictureeach frame, and whether they use interlaced (i) or progressive (p) scanning manufacturers. fourformats These are descri December 27,1996. Impact onExistingTelevisionService

Aprovision inthePublicHealthSecurity Four video formats arebeing usedcommerciallyand by U.S.television producers FCC FourthReportandOrder FCC Fifth Report and Order In the Matter of Advanced TelevisionSystems andTheir FCC FifthReportandOrder IntheMatterofAdvanced In December 1996, after lengthyIn December1996,after debate In 1997,theFCC adoptedrules Meanwhile, the TelecommunicationsAc 1 The ATSC standard allows fo allows standard ATSC The equently beenadoptedforcommercialuse. received theiranalog licenses

In the Matter of AdvancedTelevisionSystemsandTheir In theMatterof , MM Docket No.87-268, FCC97-116, releasedApril 3 toimplement the Telecommunications Act, and , MM Docket No. 87-268, FCC 96-493, released FCC , MMDocket No.87-268, permit as of October 24, 1991, and which had its had permitwhich asofOctober24,1991,and CRS-2 and Bioterrorism Prepar ble for SDTV broadcasts), and 720p and 1080i and 720p broadcasts),and ble forSDTV FCC adopted a standardforDTVsignalFCC adopted ations arealsoprohibited from operating an issued by belimitedto theFCC should Section 531 requires the FCCtoallotadigitalrequires 531 Section gital channel. Alsointhe104thCongress, authority toauction the DTVlicenses. station receiving digital spectrum underthis bed by the number oflinesthey produceper is more compatible with PC displays, while The bill’s conference report states that this that states Thebill’sconferencereport oadcasters musteventually returneither nied theflexibility tooperateananalogand rect theFCCtoconduct auctions for the ATVwouldbeusing digital signal station thathadanapplication pending for of the Advanced Television Systemof theAdvancedTelevision er incumbenttelevisionbroadcasters. to fosteradigital audienceduringto the billion. Nolegislation wasenacted, t of1996(P.L. 104-104)providedthat betweentelevisionmanufacturers, ddresses thedigital conversion of full r 18 different videoformats,of after the FCCdigital allocated edness andResponseAct 2 (continued...) 4 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 auctioned for other commercia auctioned forother be to licenses spectrum analog television existing their analog andreturn signal locations fornewantennas. unforeseeable oruncontrollable FCC hasgranted tolicens extensions a sche to DTV facilitiesaccording receive televisionprogramming to allowviewerswhohave not yet purchased (“simulcasting”) ofthe same programs in areas. market broadcasting their to DTV signals 6 MHZanalog for transmission sothat they can simultaneously transmit NTSCand werefor digitalspectrum givennew signals, 6MHZof while retaining their existing immediately purchasenewdigital television to phaseinDTVoveraperiodofyears, of the following three conditions exist: television licensesintheyear 2006fromsta grant forreclaiming extensions to the analog FCC However, the actthe required suchserviceforape to authorize may service authorizes analog television that berenewed license not a“broadcast that Budget Act of1997(P.L. 105-33)madethe existing analogexisting televisionbroadcasting system (knownasNTSC) and UHFfrequency bands.Be The DTVlicensesconsistof 6 megahertz 6 5 4 Actof2005(P.L. 109-171),signed by thePresidenton Reduction The Deficit with analog television broadcasts. spectrum bandcurrentlysame allocatedforan developed thecurrently usedU.S.television standards. a digital facility simultaneously inthenearterm, especially inmajor markets. Usingvacantportion ofthe digitalthe technology,in frequenciescanbeplaced theDTV National The Television Systems was Committee theindustry group(NTSC) that (...continued) The FCCsetatarget dateof2006 for their build to DTVlicenses receiving the stations television required ruling The In the109 ! ! ! do nothavedigital TV programming distributor” (including cable or satellite services) and donotsubscribe toa digital “multi-channel video station the television the of if atleast15% or licensee; ofthe market the in if digital-to-analog c national networksarenotbroadcas if one ormore ofthe television th Congress, the 2006 deadline for thedigital transitionwas extended. deadline 2006 the Congress, onverter technology isnot l purposes.During the105 setsorconverters. cause DTVsignals cannotbereceivedthroughcause the circumstances, suchasaninability tosecure tower during thetransitiontoDTV. dule determinedby oftheirmarkets.The thesize riod that extends beyondriod thatextends December31,2006.” CRS-3 households in the marketservedby in households ees unabletomeetthescheduledue both digital andanalog (MHZ) of unused spectrum within the VHF the (MHZ)within ofunusedspectrum stations affiliated withthe four tions in televisionmarketswhereanytions one so that consumers would nothaveto would sothatconsumers ting a digital television signal; alog television (NTSC) withoutinterfering 2006 reversiondate statutory, providing broadcasters to ceasebroadcasting the to broadcasters DTVsetsorconvert sets orconverters. 6 Thesimultaneousbroadcasting generally available th Congress, the Balanced Congress, the modeswasintended Thus,broadcasters 5 ers tocontinue the FCC decided FCC the http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 FCC 07-228, adopted December 22,2007,releasedDecember 31, 2007,p4. Rules andPoliciesAffecting theC 17, 2009deadline. steps necessary, and a time line formaking those steps inorder to meet the February required to file status reports with the FCC detailing their transition status, additional possible televisionservi construction the of their best final, post-transition facilities while maintaining and complete statutory deadline the meet broadcasters transition ensure that Commission’s RulesandPolicie In this Report andOrder,th broadcast stations. February 8,2006,setsa“hard”digital 9 8 7 service inagrowing numberofmarkets. channels provided by satellite television systems;via digitalprovided and (3) cable consumers. Digital signals are: (1)broadcast over the airwaves; (2) transmitted over Delivery of Digital Signals becoming widespreadamong broa Theam viewing experience. such as sportsevents ormovies —which take fulladvantage ofthe high-definition content tends tofavor more “visual” typesDigital ofprogrammingequipment. — Programming ofDigital Creation widespread purchaseandadoptionby cons broadcasttelevision stations, as well as cablesatellite andtelevisionsystems; the and compellingdigital programming; the delivery ofdigital signals toconsumers by enterprise. Asuccessfulbuildoutrequires: stations. digital televisionchannels monitor thestatusofDTVconversi to continued Meanwhile, sincethebeginning ofthedigital transition,theFCC has

August 6,2007. transition, see[http FCC, FCC, For acomprehensive listing ofFCC regulato Currently, there are three ways digital programming is being delivered to Digital programming is created with di The nationwidebuildoutofdigital te Press Release Report andOrder,Inthe Matter of:Thir 8 On December 31, 2007, the FCC released FCC On December31,2007,the ://www. 7 , “FCCAnnouncedFinalAssignment On August 6, 2007, the FCC released thefinalassignment of released FCC OnAugust 6,2007,the Status oftheDTVBuildout ce to their viewers.” their ce to fcc.gov/dtv/]. — to be used postDTVtransition—forover1,800 —tobeused e FCCadoptedproceduresa ount ofavailabledigita onversion toDigital Television s Affecting theConversi dcast andcablenetworks. CRS-4 on of both commercia both on of transition deadline ofFebruary 17,2009. transition deadline gital camerasandot thedevelopmentby contentprovidersof umers ofdigital te levision is a complex andmultifaceted levision isacomplex ry activities with respecttothedigital d Periodic ReviewoftheCommission’s d Periodic 9 Full-power televi the Third Periodic Reviewofthe theThirdPeriodic of Digital Television Channels,” l programming isgradually nd rulechanges necessary to on to Digital Television. to on , MBDocket No. 07-91, levision equipment. l andnoncommercial her digital production sion stationsare http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 DTVStations.asp] of thetransitionforbroadcastersis$10to$16billion. approximately nation’s to fully convertasta order totransmitdigital signals. A new facilities and purchaseconstruct new equipmentTelevision in stations must currently TV coverover99%ofU.S. transmissions receiving digital Political Power J.H., Snider, 2,2004.SomeJune criticsdisputethevalidity the Internet, ofthesecostestimates. See House Committee onEnergy andCommerce, Subcommittee onTelecommunications and Internet, March15,2001,107 the Committee onEnergy andCommerce, Subc House, “DigitalTelevision: APrivate Sector extension requests;134sta extension oftheMayextension 1,2003buildoutdeadlin were admonished. Meanwhile, 214 noncomme wereextensions granted, action was deferred for 30satellite stations, and 7stations exte the restremainpending. Athird re this number,535extension Of thosestationsgranted 602 extensions, their DTVfacilities.Sofar,772haveb oftheMayFCC anextension 2002deadline 2002 conversion deadline. Atotalof843 commerc three-quarters ofthe1,240full-power to 1,706stations,about99%ofth 14 13 12 11 10 offerings) untilmoreconsumershadthe programming (therebyand highdefinition displacing some existing channel receive high-definition programmin eithercapability) a set-top or built-in box satellite HDTV inorder reception to need added equipmentSatellite (a slightly TVcustomers bigger satellite dishand DISH Echostar’s andHughes’ Network DirecTV. States: United the in service households. Twomajorcompaniesofferdi broadcasting digital signals in211markets. as ofJanuary 10,2008,therewere1,626st Testimony ofEdward O. Fritts, NAB President andChief Executive Officer, beforethe Testimony ofBenTucker, Chairman of Ibid. [http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvsum.html]. See Forlateststatistics,see[http Broadcasting. Cable. Satellite. As ofOctober10,2007,theFCC hasgran Initially, cable companies had been reluctant tocarry channels ofdigital Speak SoftlyandCarry A BigStick:How LocalTVBroadcasters Exert , iUniverse, Inc., NewYork, pp.331-345. Satellite television is currently provided toover 22millionAmerican tion todigital operation. According (NAB), tothe National Association ofBroadcasters 1,700 full-powertelevisionst tions filed for second extensions with129granted.tions filedforsecondextensions th Cong., 1 quests havebeen granted, e totalnumberofDTVallotments. ccording toNAB, costsrange from$8-$10million g ontheirdigital televisions. st CRS-5 sess.,p.72. ://www.nab.org/AM/ASPC een granted and71 havebeenadmonished. nsion wasrequestedby 141stations;104 Perspective Hearing ontheTransition,” Before NAB Television Board,in:U.S.Congress, NAB digital television equipmentnecessary to television digital filed requests for second extensions. Of filed requestsforsecondextensions. commercial stations rect broadcastsate 11 ommitteeon Telecommunications andthe 10 NAB has estimated that the total cost ations (bothcomme in order to complete constructionof complete to in order This represents about 95%ofthe about Thisrepresents e. TheFCC hasgranted allofthose ted a construction ial stations did not meettheMaydid stations 1, ial rcial educational 12 67 havebeendismissed,and ations. The211markets llite (DBS) television requestedfromthe stations requested ode/DTVStations/ 13 rcial andpublic) permit orlicense Approximately households. 14 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 be $819in2007,a$224dropfrom2006. markets. television households(outof definition programming. Cablesyst of 210)localTVmarketsareservedby at Telecommunications Association(NCTA), to carry digital orhigh-definition National channels.the Cable & According to programming has changed, however, asin mostmarkets cableproviders have begun available at[http://www.ncta.com/Issu cable”generally referstotechnology whichconv [http://www.ce.org/shared_files/pr_attachments/PR_MoreThanHalf_MP_122807.doc]. at PressRelease, Decemberavailable 28,2007, Television,” received by DTV sets. sets;thereforecurrentdigitalcurrent DTV standardsthan systems usedifferentdigital speed (broadband)Internet service. However, viewing. “Digital cable”allows cablecompanie which istransmitted totheconsumer andthenconverted back toanalog form fortelevision Consumer Purchase ofDTVProducts Purchase Consumer view digital programming. 18 17 16 15 be taken by government tofurther facilitate a timely, efficient, and equitable safety use). forpublic spectrum TV analog the hasalreadyof FCC some (the services designated commercial wirelessservices Somereallocated of thepurposes. NTSCspectrum other willbe auctioned for for and bereclaimed can (analog) spectrum quickly NTSC sothat aspossible, television by theendof 2007. 50% Association (CEA),approximately further. decrease to areexpected prices monitors andreceivershave DTV years,for several past prices Overthe characteristics. technical and features [http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=11309]. at 26, June 2007, available Release, Press Finds,” Research Consumer ElectronicsAssocia Telecommunications National& Cable Asso services) are“digital.” However, Many “digital cable(andbothDBS commercial Consumer Electronics Associ Policy IssuesSurroundingtheDigitalTransition The key issue for Congress and the FCC has been: what steps, ifany, should what The key issueforCongress andtheFCC hasbeen: complete the transition toDTVas to The goal ofthe FCCis and Congress DTV productsarenowavailablefrommu 16 15 dropped markedly. As the market for DTVsexpands, market droppedmarkedly.the As a total 110 million) and reach all 100 of thebiggest100 all TV atotal110million)andreach ation, “30 PercentofU.S. The reluctance of cable companies to carry to companies ofcable digital reluctance The 17 , and some of it will be , it and some of tion, “More thanHalfofU. tion, The average retail price of DTVs was projected to ofDTVswasprojected price Theaverage retail eBrief.aspx?contentId=2688&view=4]. ems providing HDTV pass100millionU.S. ems providing HDTV CRS-6 According to the Consumer Electronics Consumer the According to 18 the DTV standard used by broadcastersand the DTV cable services currently cannotbedirectly cable services currently least one cable providerthatoffershigh leastonecable the“digital” signals transmitted over cable as ofMarch2007,consumersin209(out of U.S.householdsownedadigital s toprovide more channels,as well as high erts analogerts programming toadigitalsignal ciation, “Digital Statistics,” Transition ltiple manufacturers offering varying Households Own an HDTV, CEA Households OwnanHDTV, used fornewpublicsafety S. HouseholdsOwnaDigital http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 up for other uses. Among legislation inthe108 up forotheruses.Among legislation Unde certain.” on “a date spectrum analog to digital television.Some Appendix A 109 others. of lowpowertelevisionstati interoperability, digita mandating digital tuners,copyrigh tele related tothedigital Congressional debate onthein thedigital television transition. ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=3772]. [http://www.nab.org/AM/AMTemplate.cfm?template=/CM/ at Available noncommercial televisionbroa noncommercial consumer electronics electronics consumer technologies, andinterests,includi have confrontedahighly policy complex To transition todigital television? 20 19 ofdigital discourage thedevelopment 2009. to would bemovedfrom2006 deadline circulated by theMediaBureau ofthe purposes, andrequiredthos would haveprohibitedany bills H.R. 5024,H.R.5040,andS.2774) omnibus Commission 1425 andwithin9/11 according totheMediaBureau proposal, cab satellite customers could watchscenario, ontheir analog televisions. Under this so chooses—down-convertthedigital sign digitalbe requiredtocarry broadcaster’s a Bureau’s proposal. purposes. other assigned for and/or beauctioned canthen which analog spectrum, valuable statutory thresholdrequiredinorder for broad down-converted digital signals ontheir anal Kruger. Report RL34165, WrittenExParteSubmission inMB Docket Nos.& 03-15 98-120, April 15,2004, For up-to-dateFor information onthecurrentpolicy debate inthe110 th , and110 The following sections inthisreport —onactivitiesfollowing The and issues inthe 108 During March and April 2004, another digital trans digital andApril2004,another March During A numberofbillswereintroducedintothe108 The commercial broadcasting industry ex providesbackground informationon th Congresses —discussissues that The TransitiontoDigitalTelevision: Is America Ready? Activities inthe108 20 According tothecommercial manufacturers andreta l conversionofpublicbroadcastin vision transition.Theseincludedigital “mustcarry,” ons, publicinterestobligations of DTV broadcasters,and e frequenciestobeopera urged Congress to require br urged Congress to delayfor public inreassigning safety MHZ the 24 dcasters, cableandsate address thisquestion,Congress andtheFCC address CRS-7 ng contentproviders,commercialand FCC. Under this proposal, this the transition FCC. Under t protectiontechnology, cable/DTV television services(suchasHDTVand signal only, butcould—ifthebroadcaster landscape, involving differentindustries, r this approach, spectrum would be freed be r thisapproach,spectrumwould og setswouldbecountedtowardthe85% le and satelliteTV le casters toreturn tothe government their ilers, andconsumers. pressed strong oppositiontotheMedia al to an analogal toan signal thatcableor Cableandsatellite th th havebeenprimary considerations Congress Congress, theHEROAct(H.R. broadcasters, theproposalwould th a complex arraycomplex a ofpolicy issues Congress, relating in some way tional by January 1,2007. ition proposalwasinformally g stations, digital conversion llite televisionproviders, oadcasters toreturnthe households watching th Congress, see CRS Congress, see providerswould 19 Additionally, by LennardG. th , http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 21, 2004.22 p. Transition inManyRespects, but Ce to receive television service. television receive to for therebypurchasing converterboxes, ensu reclaime from (derived subsidies federal suggests Ferree,economically disadvantag and satelliteTVprovi because market forces willensurethatpopul the development ofdigital servicesthat argues willnotbe adversely impacted In responsetothesecriticisms,KennethFe or theyDTVs, converterboxes, purchased economicallylose th would disadvantaged — areexclusiv that proposal, TVhouseholds Additionally, sp analog theyif argue, purchaseDTVs. to consumers for incentive the andremove multicasting) 22 21 uses. be commercial Proceeds would from spectrum the ofcommercial auctioning forusebyfreed firstresponders,a be forpublicsafetyDecember 31,2006to 31,2008.Spectrum from would LIVESSAVE the S.2820would change2820, Act. thedigitalS. transitiondeadline to thisrecommendation,onSeptember and increasedassignment of radio spectrum recommended thatCongress supportlegisla rel United States(the9/11Commission) service. and settingboxes, a near-term, widely recognized shut-offdate foranalog TV providing subsidies education, consumer responsible forBerlin’ssuccessfuldig but CertainKeyChallengesAreSimilar entitled, featuredthereleaseofa Berlin,” The hearing, entitled, “The Digital Television Transition: What We Can Learn from Germany, whichsuccessfully underwenta another hearing onJuly 21,2004,looking speci transition issuesincluding thepossibility of Television Transition,”—alsoexamined Commerce, Science the Digital and Transportation —entitled, “Completing hear 9,2004 Bureau Proposal.”AJune Media oftheFCC —“Advancingproposal theDTVTransition:AnExamination Subcommittee onTelecommunications and the Internet,Ferree held a hearingthe on 2,2004, television transition.OnJune SeeU.S. General Accountability Office, Boliek, Brooks, by “Feds:Noanalog ‘09,” TV On July 22, 2004, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Uponthe Attacks On July 22,2004,the NationalCommissiononTerrorist Finally,Subcommitteeon TelecommunicationsHouse the and the Internet held summer of2004,Congress he During the 22 German DTVTransitionDiffersFrom ders in both digital andanalog formby 2009.Additionally,digital ders inboth 21 rtain KeyChallengesAreSimilar General Accountability Office(GAO)report ectrum isreclaimedundertheMediaBureau the HouseEnergyCommittee, Commerce and CRS-8 21, 2004, Senator John McCainintroduced 21, 2004,SenatorJohn nd other spectrum would be available for nd otherspectrumwouldbeavailable d spectrum auction proceeds,forexample) d auction spectrum German DTV Transition Differs FromDTV German U.S. ital transition: implementing extensive ital transition: eased itsfinal report. The Commission cable or satellite tele cable orsatellite to low-incomehouseholdsforconverter ed over-the-air householdscouldreceive ed ely “over-the-air”—many ofwhomare . The GAOidentifiedthreeelements The . consumersubsidiesforconverterboxes. ing heldby theSenateCommitteeon the Ferree proposal and other digital theFerree proposalandother rree, former headoftheMediaBureau, rree, former for publicsafetyIn response purposes.” ar stationswilllikely becarried by cable transition todigital televisionin2003. tion “which provides for the expedited the tion “whichprovidesfor ring thatthesehouseholdswill continue eir television service altogether unless Hollywood Reporter fically atlessonslearnedfromBerlin, U.S. Transition in ManyRespects, in U.S. Transition ld threehearings onthedigital vision subscriptions. , GAO-04-926T, July , April15,2004. http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Safety andWireless Communications Interference over-the-air broadcasts with consumer Commerce, whichwouldsubsidize billion digital$1 a transitionestablish program, to administered by the Secretary of credited toaDigital Transition Consumer 23 eli be the 85%penetrationtest should a nonbinding provision(Section 5011)expressi ofanalog spectrum. return for the aharddeadline set to acts FCC television broadcasts.Also, auctionsofcommerc does notauthorize the digital transitiond limits legislation becausethe aremoot, subsidies digitaltransition consumer in billion $1 and the Di However, thesectionsregarding the The SenatepassedS.2845on resolve interference issues withrelevant frequencies freeofinterferenceby D was modified toread: “only ifall relevant public safety entities are able touse such regarding the FCC’s authority towaive the deadline toavoid consumer disruption 2007 only forspectrumthathasbeendesi version adoptedintoS.2845setsthedigitaltrans Thefinal amendment. by asmodified Burns amendment the McCain the consent Senator of amendment. Attherequest Committee, Senator Burns offeredamendment a tothe modifying McCain Intelligas anamendmenttotheNational frequencies.” TheBurns amendment was disruption whileensuring theability necessary consumer extent avoid the to “to agiven market in deadline the waive for pub hasbeendesignated that spectrum Conrad Burnswhichsetsa digita an Commerce, ScienceandTransportation, public interest obligations. and must-carry regarding proceedings onits DTV decisions final issue to FCC the recommending aconsumereducationprogra toCongressreport Commercea (inconsultation withthe FCC) tosubmit unable toreceivedigital signals without a signals. receiving television continue orothertec analog converterboxes andwouldprovide low-income households, to digital televisionarere to FormoreRL32408, informationReport onthisissue,seeCRS The House-passed version ofS.2845 House-passed The On September29,2004,Senato the September22,2004markupof During S. 2820alsorequiredlabeling ofanalog tained withintheSenate-p analog televisions.Theprog labeling requirements would only gowould intoeffect ifthe labeling requirements October 6,2004. Other provi l transition deadline (December 31, 2007) l transitiondeadline(December31, r McCain offered a modified version of S. 2820 a modifiedversionofS. offered McCain r ofrelevantpublicsafety en hnologies which would allowconsumersto hnologies which CRS-9 ecember 31, 2007, or are otherwiseableto are ecember 31,2007,or McCain, theSenate gital TransitionConsumerAssistancefund eadline only topublicsafety spectrumand broadcast bybroadcast licensee agreement.” mutual ence ReformActof2004(S.2845). As in minated andthatbroadcasters shouldbe Assistance Fund. The Fund would be used AssistanceFund.be TheFund would lic safety, andprovide converter box), direct converter box), subsequently adoptedby theCommittee. ial spectrum currently usedforanalog spectrum ial (passed onOctober m onthedigital transition,andrequires amendmentwasofferedby Senator gnated Language forpublicsafety. assistance forpurchasing digital-to- assistance televisions (withth s who continue to relys whocontinueto exclusively on , by Moore. LindaK. S. 2820 in the Senate Committee on Committee Senate S.2820inthe ng the“senseof the Congress” that ition deadline of December 31, of December deadline ition assed versionofS.2845. ram wouldgive priority to sions of S. 2820 relevant sions ofS.2820 approved by unanimous Spectrum Policy:Public 16, 2004) contained 16, 2004) s theDepartmentof s that the FCC may e labelstating itis tities touse such only for 23 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 into the 109 Appendix B included aspartofacomprehensiveapproach of analog spectrumforpublicsafety uses a laterandredefinedtransition deadline be modifying orremovingpe the85%digital digital transition deadline statutory analog spectrum.Policyreclaimed ques thereby freeing beimplemented, might DTVtransition forthe a “harddate” innovative telecommunicationstechnol whileprivate sector the rest fordevelopment willbe auctioned and use tothe of reclaimed analog spectrumwillbeallo the FCC to complete the digital transition aspossible.as soon A portion of reclaiming the analog spectrum was a prime motivation in the desire ofCongress and 108-458) wassigned intolawonDecember17,2004. TheIntelligencespectrum.” Reformand “delay theabilityentities tobegin planning tousethisneeded ofpublicsafety 31,2006” and that anyDecember as delay inthe adoption of such legislation will comprehensive approach tothe timelyof analog return broadcast spectrum as early thatitis language.states Section7501 report versionofS.2845containedadigita publicsafety for spectrum canbereturned required toceaseanalog transmissions spectrum could raise revenues in the billions of dollars. Estimates of possible spectrum couldof raise revenues inthe billionsofdollars. Estimates legislation inthe firstsession ofthe 109 act topass Aside fromensuringenjoy that consumers the benefits ofdigital television, Budgetary an werealso considerations During the first sessionofthe109 Activities andIssuesinthe109 th in thisreport provides a listing of DTV-related legislation introduced Congress. CRS-10 of December31,2006,beimplementedby th Congress, lawmakers byanalog December31,2006inorderthat ogies suchaswirelessbroadband. the senseofCongress that“Congress must cated for firstres for cated netration thresholdre more appropriate? moreappropriate? l television provision similar to the House television provisionsimilartothe l be singularly designated, or should itbe be singularlyshould or designated, tions includedshouldthethen-existing Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. Terrorism PreventionActof2004 and commercial uses.Theconference andcommercial important factor. Auctioning the analog important factor.Auctioning the toreturninganalog all ofthespectrum? th Congress that establishes a th ponder communications, Congress debated whenandhow Should thereclaiming quirement, orwould http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 part oftheseauctionproceedscouldbe billion. would released by thedigital transition other spectrum already authorized for auction spectrum forauctionwill new offering this vacatedbyanalog broadcastersover th Says,” PressRelease,May 18,2005. 2005, October 24,2005.CBO estimates revenue [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05258t.pdf]. the DTV Transition Advance Top Boxes toHelp Representatives, Telecommunications andtheInternet, Co Budget Reconciliation Deficit Reduction:FY2006 Transition survey involving 2,471randomly selected AccountabilityGovernment Office(GAO) Atthe request ofthe House Committee onEnergy and Commerce, the analog spectrum? reclaimed likelyhow much revenueis be raised to by auctioning the commercial portionofthe And finally, require,and spectrum? howmuchfundingprogram wouldasubsidy by befinanced warranted, if subsidies, proceeds garnered by analog the auctioning be providedtolow-incomehouseholdsex have a subscription to DBS (satellite) te (satellite) have asubscriptiontoDBS 57%or64millionhousehol air television; survey, GAOfoundthat19%or21millionhous households to purchase ordi converterboxes by thefe shouldbeprovided example) asked whethershouldsome form of financia off.Many digital receive turned signals analogto is signal when the policymakers households whoseexisting analog televisions auction revenuesva 28 27 26 25 24 satellite providerswoul this Under to low-incomehouseholds. a (from$50to$100perbox) the set-topbox the costcouldrange from about $460 million to $2 billion, depending onthecostof television broadcasting. and income, non-White, Hispan For more informationmore onthisissue,seeCRSReportRS22306, For Snider, J.H. and Michael Calabrese, New AmericaFoundati Brattle Group, The “700 MHZ Spectrum Band Auction Could Yield $28B, Analysis Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate, Digital TransitionandPublic Safety Act of See U.S. Government AccountabilityU.S. Offi See A key issue in the debate was addressing the millionsofAmerican over-the-air GAO estimatedthatifasubsidy weren , Spectrum SeriesIssue Brief#15,May 2004,p.3. Digital BroadcastDigital Television Set- Transition: Supporting of Cost Estimated ried, from$10billion d convertbroadcasters’digital si 28 ic households are more lik more ic householdsare e period 2006-2010. However, CBO estimates that CRS-11 increase netspectrum auctionreceiptsby $10 levision. Additionally, GAOfoundthatlow- mmittee onEnergy andCommerce, House of used toreducethefederalbudget deficit. scenario, GAOisassuming thatcableand lower anticipatedreceiptsby $2.5billionfor deral government to under current law. Thus, auctioningunder currentlaw.Thus, spectrum 24 ce, Testimony beforetheSubcommittee on nd whethersubsidy recipientsare limited ds rely oncable;and19%or22million clusively Should ortoallhouseholds? to $28 b to$28 Americanhousehol gital televisions.Shouldsuchassistance l assistance (subsidies or tax credits,for l assistance (subsidiesortax eeded onlyover-the-air households, for conducted atelevisi of $12.5 billion from$12.5 auctionofspectrum of willrequireconvert , by Moore. LindaK. eholds relyeholds exclusively onover-the- , February 17,2005.Available at illion gnals toanalog atthe“head- 25 ely torely onover-the-air to $50billion. to Spectrum Auctionsand on, enableover-the-air ds. Based onthe on characteristics Speeding theDTV er boxes inorder er boxes 26 Allor 27

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 air analog viewers. Other issu analog Other air viewers. and needforaharddeadline the discussed of Technology inAchieving aHardDead in AdministeringaSubsidy Representatives, Telecommunications andtheInternet, Co equipment. administrative challenges aimplementing subsidy that couldin arise forDTV 26, 2005,GAOtestifiedbefore the House credit,rebate,g voucher, tax dothey takeintoaccountwh nor program, digital signal. Each analog televisionsetwould need its ow majority oftelevisi subsidy for one converter andtheuseofm converterbox the of cost wouldrange from $1.8 billion to over$10billion,again depending onthecost available to cable and satellite available tocable analog setstopurchaseconverterboxes high-definitiondeliver signalswould toth receive thesignal withoutaconverterbox. of meeting budget reconciliati on staffdraftDTVlegislation. Committee Ch is difficultwithoutacertaintransitiondeadline. end,” such that cableandsa 29 and consumersaboutthedig Internet onMarch10,2005. Witn hearings onthe digital transition. AttheFebruary 17 Subcommittee onTelecommunicationsInternet,the first ofa and series the held of House Activities Transition,” was held by theHouseS end, or—alternatively —atthesubscriber’shome. whether digital signals should be converted new analog televisionspurchasedby cons ofapossibleanal whether labelswarning [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05623t.pdf]. See U.S. Government AccountabilityU.S. Offi See The GAOcostestimatesalsodonot include Under adifferentscenario,GAOassume Under On May 26, 2005,theHouse Energy andCommerce Committee held a hearing On February Energy 17,2005,theHouse andCommerceCommittee, A secondhearing, entitled,“Preparing C 29 Digital BroadcastTelevision Transition:SeveralChallenges Could Arise on households havemorethanone Program forDTVEquipment box perhousehol box overnment suppliedequipment, tellite TVconsumerswithanal ital transition, andargued th on targets as a key factor in theCommittee’smovement subscribersaswellto es discussedattheFebruary 17 esses spoketotheimporta ubcommittee onTelecommunicationsand the CRS-12 eans testing. The GAO estimate assumes a eans testing. TheGAOestimateassumes mmittee onEnergy andCommerce, House of . GAO estimated thatifsubsidieswere . GAOestimated e home,therebywith consumers requiring the possiblecostsofsubsidizing over-the- Energy and Commerce Committeeonthe umers. Anotherkey issue discussed was ce, Testimony beforetheSubcommittee on og signal shut-offshouldberequiredon line fortheDTVTransition,”witnesses at thecableandsatelliteproviders’head- airman Joe Barton citedtheimportance airman Joe at formasubsidy might take,beita n converter box tobeablereceivea n converterbox d —itshouldbe noted that the vast onsumers fortheEndofDigital d thatcableand the costofimplementing asubsidy over-the-airanalog television. th hearing, entitled, “The Role , May 26, 2005. Available at , May 26,2005.Available over-the-airhouseholds,the at raising publicawareness nce ofeducating retailers og setswouldbeableto or othermeans.On May th satellite providers hearing included hearing http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 806 MHZ). This auction authority does not apply toanalog spectrum tobemade not 806 MHZ). Thisauctionauthority does analog spectrum is defined as between channels 52 and 69 inclusivethrough (698 and theFCCshalldepositau service.Auctions television analog conduct auctionsforthelicensesofr and Mexico. monthstatusreportson to issuesix and assignments toallfull-pow channel digital final release to FCC the directs also legislation The signals. or more 15% indefinitely if incurrent lawprovision allowing broadcasters toretain their analog spectrum December 31,2008deadlinewouldbea hard cease.The would air over the broadcast is that service and analog television cha spectrum intherangeanalog of 2009, 1, January transitionfromDecember31,2006to December 31,2008.Asof DTV provisions. Actof2005(H.R.4241).Thefollowing isasummaryReduction ofmajor Transition Actof Reduction Act of 2005.Subtitle D (sections interest obligations. issue, nordoesitaddressotherDTV issues mu the addressing language contain not Actof2005does Transition $990millionforadig proceeds asfollows: transferred totheTreasury forbudget de conversion oflow-powertele CityYork 9/11digitala New transiti $500 million forpublicsafety House Committee onEnergy andCommerce, October 31,2005,p.12. being usedby broadcasters. from estimated $10billioninnetreceipts The legislation setsa“hard”DTVtr Act of2005aspartits submission to House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Digital Television Transition proceeds. auction analog spectrum —asubsidydigital-to-analo for program of scope,andmechanics size, as the well needfor—as overthe was disagreement deadline forthedigital transition,there 2008/2009 hard a of settingagreed withthe analog spectrum. While most(butnotall) Committee Members and witnesses of legislation tohasten the DTVtrans 30 Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate, Reconciliation Recommendations ofthe Auction of Recovered Spectrum. Recovered Auction of DTV Transition Deadline. On November 3, 2005, the House Budget Committee reported theDeficit On November3,2005,theHouseBudgetreported Committee Digital Television Transition Act of 2005. 2005. On N er broadcasttelevisionst 30 oftelevisionhouseholdsar ction proceedsnolaterthan vision stations. Remainin vision Thelegislation wouldallocateaportionofauction interoperable communicationsgrants, $30million for ovember 18,2005,the House passed the Deficit The legislationthe wouldshiftthe deadlinefor ansition deadline of December 31, 2008. CBO 2008. ansition deadlineofDecember31, will commencenolaterthanJanuary 7,2008, CRS-13 theHouseFY2006bill. budget reconciliation ition andraiserevenuesfromauctioning the ition ecovered analog spectrum reclaimedfrom analog ecovered coordinating digital allotments withCanada on fund,and$3milliontoassistdigital g converter boxes fundedwithaportion gof converterboxes nnels 52through 69w ficit reduction.The such as the broadcast flag or DTV public DTV flag broadcast or such asthe auctioning vacatedspectrumcurrently ital-to-analog conve 3401-3 The legislation directs the FCC to FCC the directs Thelegislation deadline — thelegislation repealsthe ations by December31,2006, 413) is the413) is Dig On October 27, 2005, the OnOctober27, g auction proceedswouldbe June 30, 2008.Recovered June e unabletoreceivedigital ould berecovered, Digital Television rter box program, rter box lticast must-carry ital Television http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 “NYC 9/11Digital TransitionFund,” which communications systems. Thelegislati intheacquisitionof,deployment agencies be used by NTIAwould toestablish a grant programwhich toassist public safety broadcast system which will provide DT incurred inthede broadcasters forcosts $500 millionbedepositedina“PublicSafe satellite providersto for five years afterthetransition. formats providers tooffertheir customersbroa capacitie (with requires cableoperators mandatory DTVreceptioncapability. legislation itsexisting schedule prohibits the FCC for fromfurther revising legislation wouldset an earlier deadline of contain built-indigital tuners.TheFCC’s up the deadlinemove by which all televisi termination tocontinue broadcasting and of analog television in apublicoutreachprogram toeducate c cable and satellite providers. Finally, the FCC and the NTIA are required toengage stores by retailers,andr warnings are requiredSimilar tobe posted in other multichannel video services. connected toadigital tuner,adigita prog not beabletoreceivebroadcast warning labels on analog televisions that informconsumers that such televisions will a digital-to-analog conversiondevice. or stations (including ClassA,translator, Analog ConversionFund” whichwill be us constructed. Finally, the legislation directs $3 million into a “Low-Power Digital-to- certification processinordertobere 31, 2009.Retailersparticipa Couponsmayconverter boxes. be reque to twocouponsworth$40eachbeapplied program.analog Underthis converter box (NTIA) ofthe Department Administration Fund.” ThisFund willbeusedby theNa $990 millionfromauctionproceedsbeplaced the dateofenactment available forpublicsafety services, nor Other Expenditures of Auction Receipts. Other Expenditures Digital-to-Analog Con Preserving andExpedi Consumer Education. Digital-to-Analog ConverterBox Program. convert broadcaster signals at the“head-end,”wouldpermit broadcaster convert ofthelegislation. un as public service announcements by broadcastersand announcements un aspublicservice receive broadcastprogramming. ting intheprogram would The legislation would version and“Must Carry”. ting TunerMandates. l-to-analog converter imbursed by theDepa CRS-14 ramming afterthedigital transitionunless on directsthat $30 million bedepositedina tional Telecommunicationsand Information does itapply tospectrumauctionedprior onsumers aboutthedeadlinefortermination sign anddeployment ofatemporary DTV s over550MHZ) and sted between January 1,2008andJanuary boostertelevisionstations)for the cost of the optionsconsumershaveaftersuch program, U.S. householdsmay program, requestup dcaster signals in both digital and analog digital both in signals dcaster ons with screens of13to24inchesmust Thelegislation, whichallowscableand current deadlineis July 1, 2007; thedraft ty Interoperable Communications Fund,” V service until a pe March 1, 2007. Additionally, thedraft 2007. March1, will reimburseNew Yo toward thepurchaseofdigital-to-analog ed to compensatelowpowertelevision of Commerce toestablish a digital-to- of, ortraining foruseofinteroperable in a“Digital TelevisionConversion The legislation directs that directs Thelegislation require manufacturers to put require manufacturersto that directs The legislation box, orcable,sate box, be required to undergo a be requiredtoundergo The legislation would legislation The rtment ofCommerce. rmanent fa satellite television The legislation rk City television cilit llite or y is http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 these providerstoconvertdigital broadcas occupies lessbandwidththanahigh de Remaining moneywould bedist intheFund theFund tothegeneralfrom billion and PublicSafety Fund.” TheSecretary on January 28, 2008.Auction proceedswould analog spectrum recovered for licenses ofthe auctions commence to FCC the directs set a“hard”deadlineofApril DTV legislative language intendedfor Senate Activities reconciliation) may be that a sepa signals. It isanticipated issues of cable carriage of multicasted digital signals and downconverted analog be framedoradministered.Thelegislati process, nospecificsareincludedonhow Department ofTrans $15 milliontobemadeav disasters, and andIndian States coastal trib to assistance Act of2004, 911 implement theENHANCE program tofacilitateemergency co conversion oflow-powerandtranslator $200million the purchaseofconverterboxes, for a number ofpurposes, including $3billionfora program toassist consumers in Entitled theDigital TransitionandPublic 20, 2005,theSenateCommer andanalog carriage” digital by signals) “dual (both receive might providers. cable programmingma andwhetherCongress should witnesses over the issue ofcable and satellite carriage broadcast ofmulticast “hard” deadline fordigital conversion,th emerged ontheneedfora held ahearing consensus ontheDTVtransition.While Digital Transition andPub DigitalTransition Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of directly relatedtothe billion to$1billion,and by Se to were introducedby Senator Ensign Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The legislation extends theFCC’sThe legislation au extends Because thelegislation wasdesigned S. 1932: Digital Transition andPublicSafety Act of 2005. Committee Transportation and Science On July Commerce, 12,2005,theSenate On October 26,2005, the Senate Budg During Senate consideration of S. portation’s essential air service program. budget reconciliationprocess. introduced inthefuturetoa lic Safety Actof 2005as nator McCaintomoveforward thetransitiondeadline ce, Science and Trans ce, Science 7, 2009forthedigital conversion. mmunications, $250millionforaprogram to CRS-15 reduce funding for converter boxes from$3 reduce funding for converterboxes rate DTVbill(notattachedtothebudget finition signal) ifthey sochoose. fund oftheTreasury onOctober2,2009. 1932 on N 1932 ere was considerabledisagreementere among on alsodoesnotcontainlanguageon onthe es affected by affected natural andother es hurricanes ction authorityand ction 2009, toSeptember30, the converter box subsidythe converter box program would stations,$1.25billionfora television the Senate’sbudget Safety Actof2005,th ts to a standard de standard ts toa specifically forthebudget reconciliation of Commerceisdirectedtotransfer$5 ailable undercertainconditionstothe ributed by theDepa $200 millionforaprogram toprovide be depositedintoa“Digital Transition et Committee reporte ndate which localbroadcaststations ndate for a program toassistthedigital for aprogram ddress thoseandotherissuesnot ovember 2,2005,amendments 2005. Title portation Committeeapproved approvedby theSenate finition format(which rtment ofCommerce reconciliation bill. reconciliation III of S. S. III of e legislation would d S. 1932, the d S. OnOctober 1932 isthe http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 is needed. is million for administrative costs)ifNTIAmillion foradministrative stand-alone device used solely fordigita tocost$50$60each are expected $40eachtowards worth household requesting January 1,2008,andMarch31,2009,theprog receive additionalfunding bringing the administrative costs,including upto program.to-analog converterbox Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) toadminister a digital- the fundsremaining, $990millionwillbe Television Transition andPublic Television Transitionand 2006, December 20,2005,p.3,available Conference ReportonS.1932 McCain amendment wasdefeated.The from April7,2009to2008.TheEnsi 31 Budget Office recentlyAuction proceeds—most estima areal which 69 for channels63,64,68,and 2011) willauctionrecoveredanalog spect 30,2008,the 28, 2008,andendingFCC onJune analog broadcastsandoperateonly onch ofFebruary 17,2009, deadline transition a digital-to-analog converter digital transition deadlineatFebruary Title P.L. 109-171: Deficit approved S.1932,thereby clearing them finalapproval.OnFebruaryfor 1,2006,theHouseagain returned totheHouse the conferencereport(provisionsnotre December approved by onDecember19, theHouse hr2863.pdf]. Congressional Budget Office, Cost Estimate for H.R. 2863, DOD Appropriations Act, 2863,DODAppropriations H.R. Estimate for Cost Budget Congressional Office, Other designated uses of auction proceeds are as follows: proceedsareasfollows: usesofauction designated Other On September 30,2009,$7.363billionwillbe September On ! On Februarythe Presidentsigned S.1932intolaw(P.L. 8,2006, 109-171). The budget reconciliationconferencere III (the Digital Television Trans Television Digital III (the program to assist public safetyprogram toassist public agencies inthe acquisition of, agrant $1billionthrough FY2010toestablish not toexceed 21, 31 2005. However, b —willbedepositedina fund in th Public Safety Fund. Reduction Act of2005 box program. Theactdirectsthatafterthedigitalbox Safety Fund tothegeneral fundoftheTreasury. Of ecause the Senate removed three provisions from provisions three removed Senate ecause the The $990millionincludesupto$100for ). The act defines “converter ). Theactdefines“converter $5 million for consumer education.Between consumer $5 millionfor CRS-16 ition and Public Safety Public ition and 17, 2009, andallocatesupto$1.5billionfor 17, Senate passedS. total up to $1.5billion (includingup upto$160 total at [http:// annels 2through 51. Beginning onJanuary l-to-analog conversi easure forthePresident’ssignature. notifies Congress that lated to digital television), S.1932was television), lated todigital rum betweenchannels52and69(except ted at $12.5 billionbyat ted theCongressional full-power televisionstationswillcease 2005, andapprovedby on theSenate port on S. 1932 (H.Rept. 109-362) was port onS.1932(H.Rept.109-362) gn amendmentwaswithdrawnandthe the purchasethe of converter (which boxes ram willsupplycoupons per uptotwo ready designated forpublicsafety). made available to the National madeavailabletothe www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/ (with auctionauthority to extended e U.S. Treasury calledtheDigital transferredfromtheDigital 1932 onNovember4, 2005. on. Theprogram may Act of2005)setsthe additionalfunding box” to mean a 69xx/doc 6990/ http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 issues such as the broadcast flag broadcast suchasthe issues 171did notcontainlanguage addressing the theprevi like program retained.Also, outreach consumer onacomprehensive House provisions the were nor televisions), which addressesissue, cable and satellite provisionofbroadcast signals toanalog House billon“digital-to-ana to resolve any international interference issues. Consumer’s Choice,andBroadband Deployme and of channelallotments, contains a number of provisions contains anumberof Commerce Senate Title VIIthe of its Transportation completed 28,2006,theSenate transition. OnJune (“Digital Television”) contains a number of provisions related to the digital television arepor issue to the FCC conferees instruct FCC intheaggregate amountof$10millionduring FY2006. Add On May 1,2006,Senator Stevens introdu The ConferenceAgreement forP.L. 109-171 The actprovidesforadditionalsupplementa ! ! ! ! ! ! administered by theDepartme $30millionfortheessentialairserviceprogram not toexceed of 2004. implementtheENHANCE911Act to $43.5million not toexceed alert and tsunami warning program. national $156million during FY2007-FY2012fora not toexceed digital inrural communities. television stationsforequipmentto reimburse low-power to $65millionduring FY2009 not toexceed customers. analog their signals to from theircorresponding full-power conversion deviceinordertoconv forth stations) booster television (inc low-power televisionstations $10millionduring FY2008-FY2009tocompensate not toexceed provide DTVservice untila permanent facility isconstructed. and deployment ofatemporary York City television broadcasters forcostsincurred inthe design $30m not toexceed systems. deployment of,ortraining for to coordinate thoseallotme to log conversion and must ca conversion andmust log illion for FY markupofthecommunications reform bill, H.R. 5252. relatedtothedigital tele or DTVpublicinterestobligations. CRS-17 Committee versionofH.R. 5252similarly use of interoperablecommunications nt ofTransportation. ous HouseandSenateversions,P.L. 109- DTV broadcastsystem, whichwill 2007- FY2008 toreimburseNew Committee onCommerce,Scienceand Committee t andorderonthedig upgrade stationsfromanalog to multicast must-carry issueorotherDTV luding ClassA,translator,or ert the digital signals received the ert television stationsand provide e costofadigital-to-analog nt Act of2006.”TitleVIInt 2686 S. of ced2686, the S. l license feestobeassessedbyl the did notretainthe provisions in the nts withCanadaandMexico vision transition,asfollows: rry” (the“downconversion” ital television table “Communications, itionally, the http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 transition. digital arepreparedforthe Americans all andensure that public the educate stakeholde sector private which to extent full Senate. on theSenateLegislaplaced Is AmericaReady? 32 andoutreach. education public to respect with efforts (including enhanced principally the FCC and the NTIA —while agencies federal overseeing theactivitiesof whereby televisionsetsacrossthenation“g the February2009 DTV 17, transition d preeminent issueforCongress isensuring th mitigateswitch-overprogramtheto costs toconsumers withanalogThe televisions. deadline forthedigital transitionandes Formore information, seeCRSReportRL34165, H.R. 5252 was reported on September29, H.R. 5252wasreported ! The Deficit Reduction Actof2005(P Reduction The Deficit ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Activities andIssuesinthe110 mandates consumere rule, withcertain flag broadcast statutory FCC gives the authority its proceedwith to conditions) untilFebruary 17,2011(Sec.704); operation (betweenchannels2and51,subjecttocertain within 50miles ofthe U.S.-Mexican border tocontinue analog permits Spanish-language analog television stations broadcasting allotments (Sec.703); coordination withCa requires theFCC tosubmitase requirement fortheblind(Sec.702); affirms the authority stream ofthe FCC toimplement a digital 701d); format “downconverted” analog local broadcasters’ digital signals in both digital and largerequires cableoperatorsto (Sec.701c); converter boxes Department ofEnergy, toset energy standards fordigital-to-analog requires withthe the Department ofCommerce, inconsultation capable ofreceiving digital signals 701c); (Sec. to resale commerce forsaleor ininterstaterequires all televisionshipped sets imported or and technicalassi a DTV Workingestablishes Group retailers, broadcasters, Table 1 by LennardG.Kruger. showsa listing ofhearings110 held inthe limitations(Sec.452). stance (Sec.701b); coordination andleadership) tive Calendar,butwasultimate nada and Mexico oftheDTVtable nada andMexico ducation requirements for manufacturers, ducation requirements and theFCC (Sec.701a); CRS-18 the publicafterMarch1,2007tobe s through February 17,2014(Sec. mi-annual report on mi-annual reporton tablished a digital converter box coupon converterbox digital a tablished rs takeappropriate on consumer edu provide totheircustomers o dark.”Specifically, Congress isactively eadline, thereby minimizing a scenario at Americanhouseholds responsibleforthedigital transition — .L. 109-171) setaFebruary 17,2009 assessing whether assessing 32 2006 (S.Rept.109-355).Thebillwas The Congress isalso monitoring the The Transition toDigital Television: are necessary, particularly th cation, outreach, cation, Congress ly notconsideredby the and sufficient steps to steps and sufficient international th additional federal Congress onthe Congress arepreparedfor http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 spectrum made available by the digital transition. broadcast flag. Additionally, there remain i remain unresolved— include RS22218, DTV transition. DTV 33 Inanalog converterboxes. coupons theNPRM,NTIA$40 two proposedthatupto Rulemaking (NPRM)toimp (NTIA) releasedaReque Administration BoxProgram ofConverter NTIA Implementation legislation introduced intothe 110 coe 1 07House Committee on SenateCommittee on October 31,2007 October 17,2007 House Committee on October 17,2007 SenateSpecialCommittee SenateCommittee on September 10,2007 July 26,2007 House Committee on March 28,2007 Forinformation onspectrum issuesrelate Other DTVissues—someof wh On July 25,2006 theNationalTel On Table 1.DTVHearingsHeldinthe110 Spectrum Use andtheTransitionto Digital TV aeCmiteTopic Committee Date Appendix C lement andadministerac the Internet Telecommunications and Subcommittee on Energy andCommerce, Transportation Commerce, Scienceand the Internet Telecommunications and Subcommittee on Energy andCommerce, on Aging Transportation Commerce, Science,and the Internet Telecommunications and Subcommittee on Energy andCommerce, digital multicastmust-ca inthisreport provides a listing ofDTV-related th Congress. CRS-19 ich wereconsideredby the109 st forCommentandNoticeofProposed d tothedigital transition,seeCRSReport ssues relatedtothe auctioning and use of ecommunications andInformation 33 , by Moore. LindaK. oupon program fordigital-to- rry, downconversion,andthe Transition —Part3” Transition “Status oftheDTV and Industry Perspectives” GovernmentTransition: “The Digital Television —Part2” Transition “Status oftheDTV Dark?” Will Seniors Be Left inthe Television Transition: “Preparing fortheDigital Transition” the Digital Television “Preparing Consumers for Television Transition” StatusoftheDigital“The th Congress th Congress, but http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 pp. 12097-12121. Democrats Urge NTIA,” November 17, 2006. Analog Converter Boxes,”47CFR301, Administration, “Rulesto Implement andAd the-air households, and insteadmake to urged NTIA nottorestricteligibility fo concernsregardingexpressing theconvert Democrats onthe House Committee onEnergy and Commerce sent a letter to NTIA comments onhowbesttoreachthosehouseholds. most likely torely solely onover-the-a $990 million for the converter box program, converter box the $990 millionfor especially lowerincomehousehol consumereducationfor stated was that inadequate, $5million urging NTIA totarget quality andtheability to ofconverterboxes converterboxes for performance standards eligibility imposes toomany administrative onconsumers; urged burdens The letteralsoopposed“meanstesting,” satellite televisionhous proposed rulemakingproposed andrequestforcomment, Coupon Program a of for Administration Dig television broadcasting.” will be available tohouseholdswithanalog 37 36 35 34 program. box groups andotherswithastakeinsu education effortsofbroa education spending by collaborating me noted thatconsidering “thecostsof education concerning thedigital trans Act allocates nomore than $5millionforconsumer that the Deficit Reduction need shouldbedetermined(i.e.“meanstesting”). determine whetherahousehold co television. NTIA alsoaskedfor they that self-certify onlywould using signals ananalog over-the-air receive orsatellitesystems.cable to connected eligible, even ifthey also happened to the-air broadcastsignals. Cableor $5,000,000 limitnecessitatesthatNTIA carefully 2006, p.42067-42074. Ibid., p.42071. NationalTelecommunications andInforma U.S. DepartmentU.S. ofCommerce, Nati Communications Daily On November 16,2006,Representative November On On March 12, 2007,NTIAOn March12, releasedits In theNPRM,NTIA also asked for co 37 The Deficit Reduction Act of TheDeficitReductionAct eholds whichmay containan , “Don’t Confine DTV Couponsto , “Don’tConfineDTV 35 dcasters, equipment manufact dcasters, equipment Acknowledging households thedifficulty in reaching is eligible fortheprogra ds andothervulnerablegroups. Federal Register Federal CRS-20 satellite televisionhous mments onwhethereconomicneedshould mments ition and the converter box program, NTIA ition andtheconverterbox dia productionandpaid r converter box couponstoexclusivelyr converterbox over- contain over-the-airan NTIA proposedthatapplying households with and complementingwith the consumer onal Telecommunications andInformation ir television, NTIA asked for ideas and ideas for ir television,NTIA asked ccessful andtimely tr ital-to-Analog Converter Boxes,”Noticeof televisionsthatexclusively rely onover- coupons available al minister aCoupon Programminister forDigital-to- er box program. Specifically,er box theletter tion Administration, “Implementationtion Administration, and mments onconsumereducation.Given Federal Register Federal be updated, modified or repaired; and beupdated,modifiedorrepaired; which wouldensurepictureandaudio arguing thatdetermining economic final ruleimplementing theconverter 2005 (P.L. 109-171)initially allocates andmay subsequently allocatean John Dingell andnineteenother John leverage theprogram’s consumer 34 , Vol. 72,No.51, , Vol. March 15, 2007, over-the-air analog television. m, and ifso,howeconomic urers, retailers,consumer Over-the-Air Households, , Vol. 25, 71, no.142,July eholds wouldnotbe advertising time,the alog televisionsnot so toany cable or ansition todigital 36 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/DTVmanufacturers.pdf]. Program Information Sheet forManufacturers [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/DTVretailers.pdf]. Program Information Sheet for Retailers household eligibility. householdsthatcontai satellite and do not subscribe to cable, satellite, orother pay television services. Cable and households willbeeligib determines thattheadditional$510 million In NTIA that boxes. event the converter digital-to-analog two purchase ofupto availabletoanybe andallrequesting U. for the initial $990 million program (the“In additional funding isneeded.Thefinal $1.5 billion) additional $510million(totaling 39 38 in three areas: consumereducation,coupondi 2009. 30, September on and istocloseout $34,978,125 forthecontingent period.Thec $119,968,468, whichbreaksdownto$84,990,343 fortheinitialperiodand to run the Digital-to-Ana suspicious patternsofcustom assist NTIAwa inminimizingof incidents materials, usecommercially of thecoupon on thepurposeandoperation and payment, every track transaction and have systemsproce inplacecapableof participate intheconverter coupons during the“Initial Period”of a digital over-the-airsignal. playback capability, orother capabilities whic frombeing a converterbox covered by th smart antennainterfaceconnector not affordable state-of-the-artconverterbox affordable ensurean to areintended that specifications technical prescribed meet must devices testresultsandsamp submit the in retailers whowishtoparticipate program (thea NationalTelecommunications a NationalTelecommunications a be eligible for couponsifthereisas eligible be Households will be requiredHouseholds will toself-certify that they are exclusively over-the-air On August 15,2007,NTIA announcedithad NTIA from orderto in acertification receive must retailers Meanwhile, The rule also sets forth procedures forth sets also The rule dditional $510million). 39 le forcouponsduring this“Contingent Period.” log Converter Box box coupon program. Certif couponprogram. box 38 reasonable methodstoorder le converter boxes toNTIAle converterboxes er behavior. Retailers are Retailers er behavior. n extra over-the-airtelevisions n extra nd Information Administration, nd Information Administration, and program guide. andprogram Feat CRS-21 the program (thefirst$990 million), but converter box program. converter box ssing couponselectronically for redemption rule statesthatstarting onJanuary 1,2008, e couponprogram includevideorecording, econd phaseor“Continge . Additionalpermitted andrequirementsformanufacturers provide reportstoNTIA, trainemployees ste, fraud,andabuse,including reporting itial Period”),uptotwo$40couponswill The IBM-ledThe team willprovideservices S. householdstobeusedtowardsthe is needed,only exclusively over-the-air ontract performance program withNTIA-provided training stribution toconsum Coupon program. The total award is h allow more than simplyh allowmorethan converting ifNTIA notifiesCongress that , March2007,available at entered intoacontractwithIBM , March2007,available at not responsibleforverifying and manage inventory, and ied retailersmustagree to forapproval.Approved ures thatwoulddisqualify Manufacturersmust DTV Converter Box DTV Converter DTV Converter Box DTV Converter will will began immediately features includea ers andretailstore nt Period”ofthe be eligible for will http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 110-ti-hrg.032807.Yager-testimony.pdf]. 2007, p. EnergyCommerce,and Subcommittee onTelecommunications28, andthe Internet,March the Association forMaximumHouse Committeethe hearingbefore ServiceTelevision, on govfailinggrade.cfm]. September Transition,” 24,2007.Av on DTV consumers until converter boxes are consumers untilconverterboxes to expire after 90 days, NTIA has stated its intention not to mailcoupons to Consumer Education Consumer by lateFebruary orearly number: 1-888-DTV-2009(1-888-388-2009). coupons,eitherbybox logging ontowww.dt to preventfraud,waste,andabuse. participation, and financial processing tore 41 40 senior citizens,theeconomica transition: program, particularly withfi DTV consumereducationeffortsarefo and theavailability ofthedigital-to-a for consumereducationconcer $5,000,000 than statutorily funded(by P.L.the Defi 109-171, consumer educationeffortsregarding the Americans unawareoftheDTVtransitionat61.2%. transition. A previous survey APTS in of (APTS) inAugust 2007foundthat 51.3% complete by February 2009. broadcastsandcease, will that only 1% digital transition,thatonly 10%wereable view that 56%ofover-the-air broadcasts afterFebruary 17,2009. ortakeothermeasuresto converter box serviceintheeven from losing television the digital transition.Aprimary goal is Congressional concernisfocusing ontheade ofthec launching with thepublic with disabilities,and Testimony James ofK. Yager onbehalfof Association ofPublic Television Stations, Press Release, “Government Gets Failing Grade As of January 1,2008,consumersmay a Two federal agencies — the NTIA agencies —aredirectly —the Two federal FCC engaged andthe in Stations Television Public of Association survey by the conducted subsequent A surveyA conducted by theNationalAsso With theFebruaryth for 17,2009deadline 14. Available at [http at 14. Available minorities. To reach those groups and the American public in public ToreachthosegroupsAmerican minorities. andthe March of 2008. Given that c that March of2008.Given ve target groupsby mostlikelydigitalaffected the be to 40 ers haveneverseen, heard, or available inlocalretailoutlets. CRS-22 nalog converter box program.”nalog TheNTIA’s converterbox onverter box program inJanuaryonverter box 2008, preventing analog over-the-airhouseholds cused on raising awarenessofthecoupon on cused November ://energycommerce.house.gov/cmte_mtgs/ the NationalAssociationofBroadcastersand lly disadvantaged, rura to 3% knew that the transition would be t thatthesehouseholdsdonotpurchasea digital transition. Currently, theNTIA is imburse retailers,toma ensure the ability to receivedigital ensuretheability cit ReductionActof to guess the right year whenanalog year toguess theright quacyof ofeffortstoinformthepublic Americans wereunawareoftheDTV v2009.g pply toNTIA foruptotwoconverter ciation of Broadcasters (NAB) found (NAB)ciation ofBroadcasters NTIA willbegin sending outcoupons e digital transitionapproaching, and ailable at[http:// ning thedigital televisiontransition 2006found the 41 oupons are requiredbyoupons statute ov, or by calling the toll readanything aboutthe www.apts.org/news/ 2005) at“notmore l residents,people intain records,and percentage of -free http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 FCC.052407.Martin.ltr.DTV.pdf]. reporting onits stafftraini manufacturer electronics consumer notices, reporting, multichannel video programming distributor(MVPD)customer bill broadcaster public serviceannouncemen broadcaster public proposals toraiseawarenessamong the raised by aMay 24, 2007 letter 30, 2007,inresponsetocriticismsandsu assume a more proactive role inpromoting DTVpublic education activities. OnJuly public educationhasledsome Education Initiative. the FCC releasedaNoticeofProposed WrittenStatementofCathySeidel7262007Hearing.pdf]. July 26, 2007.AvailableTransition,” at[http://commerce.senate.gov/public/_files/ Commerce, Scienceand Transportation, “Prepa Federal Communications Commission, hearings heldby theSenateCommittee on public/_files/JohnMRKneuerTestimonyv2.pdf]. Digital July 26,2007.Available Television Transition,” at[http://commerce.senate.gov/ Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportati Telecommunications andInformation Admini Information,and National Communications for AssistantSecretary Kneuer, Initiative general, the NTIA ispursuing a strategy 45 44 43 42 conferences. DTVawarene promoting andis materials, DTV TransitionCoalition,preparedandi American public abouttheDTVtransition. target outreachtovulnerabl pursuingFCC is collaborative partnerships NTIA,the the 28,2007,wouldprovide$2million.Similarto the HouseonJune General GovernmentAppr DTV consumereducation;th FY2008 for Americans. target economically agencies disadvantaged that government federal with organizations. In additiontoworking with private sector groups, NTIA is working trade,andindustry groups as business, NTIA isalsoworking withtheDTVTr with privatesectorstakeholdergroups repr Testimony ofCatherine Seidel, Chief, consumerDTV educationefforts,seeTestimony Forinformation onNTIA ofJohn FCC, Available at [http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press The significant reliance of the FCC and the NTIA on the private sector forDTV sector NTIA private on the the and FCC ofthe reliance The significant Meanwhile, theAdministrationhas Meanwhile, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,Inthe Proposed of Notice , MBDocket No.07-148, FCC07-128, 22p. 42 43

45 TheNPRMrequestspubliccommentsonanumberof ng, andotherproposals. opriations bill(H.R.2829; e populationsandtoraiseth 44 to question whether the federal government should federal the toquestionwhether from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, CRS-23 ansition Coalition,a br Rule Making (NPRM) on a DTV Consumer DTV a Rule Making (NPRM) on Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer andGovernmental Affairs of leveraging itsre esenting those constituencies most at risk. esenting thoseconstituenciesmostat public oftheDTVtransition,including e FY2008 HouseFinancial Servicesand wellasgrass r requested $1.5millionfortheFCC in ggestions on DTV consumer education ggestions onDTVconsumer ss by attending andholding eventsand with private and public sector entities to ssued consumer publications andweb ssued consumer The FCC hasbecomeamemberofthe ring Consumers fortheDigital Television notices, consumer electronics retailer electronics consumer notices, ts, broadcasterconsumereducation stration, hearings heldby the Senate stration, hearings Matter ofDTVConsumer Education on, “Preparing Consumers forthe H.Rept. 110-207), passedby H.Rept. e general awareness ofthe e general awareness oots andmembership oad-based coalition of oad-based coalition sources by partnering _110/ http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 and otherrelatedquestions. th NCTA willcontinue million English and Spanish languageadvertising campaign on the digital transition; Telecommunications Association(NCTA) planning aseriesofconsumersurv sector andprivate ofpublic assessment by theHouseCommittee on Energy andCommerce,GAOisperforming anongoing should be run, whether simila should berun,whether and isasking for comments on the content require televisionbroadcastlicenseesto over-the-air televisionviewer way andefficient effective most arethe to reach PSAs that belief the states its FCC programs. DTVspot including education campaign, air thePSAs.OnOctober15,2007, the NAB announced a $697millionconsumer December 2007.It willbeuptolocalbroad Broadcasters (NAB) ispreparing PSAsto airing ofpublicserviceannouncements [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d071248t.pdf] Education Efforts Aging, Million Digital TV Transition ConsumerMillion Digital Transition TV Education Campaign,” September 6, 2007. 2007. implementing consumeredu Government Accountab 49 48 47 46 channelsadditional transmitted multicasted by commercial broadcasters. suchthatcableoperators should beexpanded At i from anybroadcaster. particular tocarryrequired more than a singlenot operators digital are programming stream broadcast. OnFebruary 10,2005,theFCC — news, orforeign language,example for transmitbroadcaster alternatecoulda channels ofprogrammingweather, —such as of digital spectrum intoseparate and discre Digital Multicasts messages directedatconsumersva inte andthat“given thedifferent extent effortsarevoluntary, outreach sector DTV Government Accountability Office, Testimony Before theSenate Special Committee on Ibid., p.3. NationalCable & Telecommunications Associ Associated Press,“Broadcasters unveil $697million digital campaign,” TV October 15, A majorcomponentofany DTVpublice Meanwhile, intestimony before the Senate Special Committee onAging, the Digital multicasting refers tothe ability of broadcasters todivide their 6MHZ Digital Television Transition: Preliminary Information onInitialConsumer Transition: Digital Television 47 Meanwhile,in Septembe , GAO-07-1248T,, September 19,2007,p.9. Available at e advertisinge spotsthrough February 2009. ility Office ( and Downconversion 49 cation programs. GAOtestif

r requirementsshouldbeim s aboutthedigitalis proposing transition.TheFCC to ry and might leadtoconfusion.” eys leading uptothe transition date. CRS-24 ssue is whether “must carry” “must whether ssue is requirements GAO) statedthatdifficultiesremainin DTV consumer educationprograms andis consumer DTV rests representedby conduct on-air consumer conduct on-air te streams of content. Thus, for example, for Thus, te streamsofcontent. (PSAs). The National Associationof National (PSAs). The of such PSAs, when and how often they often of suchPSAs,whenandhow beganrunning oncablechannelsa$200 ation, PressRelease,“Cable Launches$200 casters todecidewhenandhow often to r 2007,theNationalCable& s, crawls,and30minuteeducational in addition toitsprimary digital video government cannotbe be deliveredtolocalbroadcastersby affirmed itspriordecisionthatcable wouldberequired to carry any orall ducation campaign islikely to be the posed onall broadcasters, ied thatbecauseprivate industry stakeholders, educationefforts assuredoftheir 48 46 In its NPRM, Asrequested http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 April 26,2006. interest obligations ofbroadcasting are also addressed. multicast signals necessary forpassage. votes orderlacked the that clear became whenit by Martin Chairman withdrawn multicastmust-carry attempt torequire Adelstein,statedthattheyJonathan may whovotedagainst mu FCC Commissioners (which wasissuedundertheprevi must-carry, andsuggested thepossibility FCC Chairman Kevin Martinhaspublicly carry, and todate, nomulticast must-carry Commerce, ScienceandTran April 27,2006. market, rather than mandated. carryto additionalprogramming streamsfrom carry thatprogramming. Cableproviders programmingif theydiminished is streams have noguarantee that cable systems will Commercial broadcasters argue that their incentive todevelopdigital additional 52 51 50 of providing standarddefiniti digital signals as well. Cable operatorssatellitecarriers and would have the option analog format through February 17,2014,wh megahertzor capacities of550 anddig analog formats viewableonboth offer, through February ope satellite carriersandcable Commerce, ScienceandTran (a this scenario,akeywhether is issue continue toprovidedigital signals aswe with servecustomers To analog format. Congress to “downconvert” the digital signal As an seek alternative, authority itispossible that cablemight providers from these customers,orcustomersmayre be receive adigital signal. Cablecompanie Manyhouseholds willlikelycable continue carry to required analog downconverted sign customers. customers. cable carriage” to of“dual benefit the receive would stations broadcast local “McDowell Rejection Jilts Multicast Must-Carry,” Must-Carry,” Multicast Jilts Rejection “McDowell “Adelstein, Copps Say Multicast Must-Carry Can beRethought,” “Martin Backs Broadcasters onMulticastMust-CarryNAB,” at In the109 A related issue is the extent towhich cableA related providers may issue isthe extent be permitted or In the109 th th Congress, H.R. 5252, asrepor Congress, H.R. Congress, H.R.5252,asrepor 52 17, on digital signals inlieuofhigh definitionsignals, and 2014, must-carry locally broadcast digital signals in rators withcapacitiesofgr sportation, didnotexplicitly multicastmust- address sportation, containedlang less wouldberequiredonly toofferthosesignals in ous FCC Chairman, Michael Powell). FCC Chairman,Michael ous nd ifso,how)Congress CRS-25 quired to purchasetheirownconverterbox. quired ll (in other words, “dual carriage”). Under carriage”). “dual ll (inotherwords, be willing to reexamine the be willingissue ifpublic toreexamine legislation has been of reconsidering the FCC’sreconsidering 2005decision of at the FCC’s June 2006meeting attheFCC’s was June s might offer or lease converter boxes to leaseconverterboxes or s might offer digital televisions, cab counter thattheird stated hissupportforrequiring multicast ital televisions. Cable operators with transition digital the after als takesplace. to useanalog televisionswhichcannot lticast must-carry, MichaelCoppsand a broadcastershouldbedictatedby the of selectedlocalbroadcaststationsto ile maintaining theoptionofoffering Communications Daily ted by theSenateCommitteeon ted by theSenateCommitteeon eater than 550megahertzeater to uage thatwouldrequire uage should mandatewhich ecision whether ornot introduced. However, Communications Daily Communications Daily le providerswould , June 20,2006. , June 50 Twoofthe 51 An , , http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Programming AftertheDigital April25,2007. Television Transition,” Docket No.98-120, FCC07-71, adopted Digital TelevisionBroadcastSi customers continuetoreceivelocalTVsta constitutes “mater Commission shouldmovefromasubjectiv format definition broadcastsignals inHD carry systemshighmust cable that reaffirmed also TheFCC broadcast. the view to signals only indigital format,providedall systems,for all-digital carry those (2) or analog subscribers, cable all to format operators musteither: (1)carryof all must-carry the signals stations inan analog localbroadcaststations. must-carry analog service. cable onlymany that sets television receive haveoneormore subscribers cable digital (approximately 32millionhouseholds)are anal 17, 2009. In theNPRM,FCC pointedoutth stations oncable systems after the transition todigital television occurs onFebruary analog subscribers, including thosewith Commission’s Rules Matter of:Carriage of Digital or localreceivefacility, to would beallowedtoperform 57 56 55 54 53 (NPRM)Rulemaking definition sets. c digitalof transition forthe majority programming. Cable companies asserted that the legislation provides a seamless format (i.e.high definition)thanwhat satellite providerstheopportunity tooffe topurchasehigh definitiontele consumers for incentive the removes format definition a standard to signals broadcasters’ and theconsumerelectronics provide digitala standardde signals in released November 30,2007,68p. 2006. FCC, “Networks to‘Down Object FCC, Ibid. FCC, On September 11, 2007, the FCC adoptedrules 2007, On September11, By must ensure all operators cable view that all subscribers to are able statute, On April25, inH.R.5252allowing cab provision The Third ReportandOrder ThirdFurther News Release News Second FurtherNoticeofProposedRule 53 ial degradation.” , CSDocket No.98-120, FCC07-170, adoptedSeptember 2007, the FCC adopted a Second Further Notice of Proposed 55 , “FCC Seeks Comment to Ensure All Cable Customers Receive Customers Cable All Comment Seeks Ensure “FCC to ,

54 asking forcommentonproposalstoensureallcable thecustomerpremises. Television BroadcastSi Conversion’ Signals,” ofTV gnals: Amendmentto Part industry.They argued thatpermitting conversionsof conversionsatany location,fromthecablehead-end 56

CRS-26 In theNPRM,FCC proposesthatcable April 25,2007,releasedMay 4,2007,26p. finition formatwasopposedby broadcasters onsumers whohavenotyet purchasedhigh r their own programming in a higher quality higherr theirownprogramming a in they might offer for broadcasters’ digital they might offerforbroadcasters’ subscribers havethenecessary equipment tions afterthetransition. Specifically, the , andaskedforcommentonwhetherthe TV sets, can view must-carry television vision sets,whilealsogiving cableand e to an objective measure of what of e toanobjectivemeasure making, IntheMatterof:Carriageof at about50%ofallcablesubscribers le operatorsand Notice ofProposedRulemaking, Inthe og cable subscribers. Additionally,og cablesubscribers. gnals: Amendment to Part 76 of the of gnals: AmendmenttoPart 76 57 76 oftheCommission’sRules intended toensure that cable Technology Daily satellite carriersto , August 15, 11, 2007, , CS http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 June 27,2006. June broadcastbyheld was flag issuethe House Committee onEnergy and Commerce on mandating abroadcastflag. Congressional policymakers are considering whether tointroduce legislation With the FCC’s broadcast transmissions. flag rule negated by the Court, andot useoftelevisions consumers’ broadcast flag FCC rules. has The no authority Courtruled that the toregulate Circuit CourtofAppealsfortheDistri content whenthebroadcastflag isr protection technologies thatwouldlimitth DTV signal wouldhavebeenrequiredto Byconsumer electronicsde Julyall 1,2005, option ofinserting a “broadcast flag”over-the-airbroadcasttheir transmissions. into Technologies” in ofthesetechnologi further explanations digitalcontent, whether itistransmitted over-the-air, by cable, orby satellite. For to content that isbroadcas on Commerce,Scienceand with the broadcast flag rule) was discussed at a hearing held by the Senate Committee authority would FCC proceed give (which also the to flag legislation broadcast draft supportandoppositiontothe in witnesses proceed withthebroadcastflag rule.OnNovember3,2005,the Committeeheard Property, theBroadcast Flag Authorizati Judiciary,theCommittee on Subcommittee onCourts,the Internet and Intellectual commonly “analog is asthe what referredto Protection of DigitalTelevisi sought an —may exemption request a waiver ofthe viewability requirement. will reassesscable companies the need —which forthe had requirement. Small “Broadcast Flag”and TVs. Theviewability requirementextends which willenable boxes themset-tophave toview digital broadcasts ontheir analog carriage), or(2)carry adig in signal the choosing toeither (1)carry thesignal in comply FCC willrequire cableto witha “viewability operators requirement” by 58 the“broadcastflag”currentlyare underconsideration and Internet transmissionsofcopyrighted di that technologies areinplacetopreven reluctant toprovidehigh quality digital c Formore information onthebroadcast flag, seeCRSReportRL33797, In the109 theFCC adopteda 2003, 4, On November Many contentproviders(e.g., moviest th Congress, discussion draftlegi Congress, discussion Appendix A t over-the-air.The“analog on: The‘Broadcast VideoFlag’ ofthisreport. the “Analog Hole” Transportation. Another Transportation. ecognized. However, on May 6,2005,theU.S. CRS-27 t consumersfrommaking copies unauthorized ital only format,providedthatallsubscribers ontent to households until theyhouseholds ontent to areassured es, seethesection,“Copyright Protection ct ofColumbia struck downthe FCC’s on Act, would give theFCC authorityon Act,wouldgive to analog as well as digital formats (dual formats analog aswelldigital her devices which receive broadcast receive which devices her toFebruarythe FCC time 2012,atwhich vices capableofrecei be manufactured to incorporate content incorporate to be manufactured hole.” The “broadcast flag” applies flag” The“broadcast applies hole.” only gital content.Twoofthesetechnologies draft legislation. OnJanuary 24,2006, udios and broadcast networks) may be may udios andbroadcastnetworks) e redistribution of digitalof television e redistribution rule whichgives broadcastersthe slation releasedby theHouse 58 hole”problem appliestoall andtechnology to“plug” , by Yeh. Brian T. hearing addressing the ving anover-the-air Copyright http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 16, 2005. andRa Sensenbrenner Chairman James Content Security Actof2005(H.R.4569), legislationthroughdraftwasThe the the analog basis forthehole. Digital Transition designed copying topreventunauthorized a witnesses insupportandoppositi conditions. Such determinationby woul broadcasters FCC wouldallow broadcasters todetermine whether that “timeliness” criteria is met. programming ofwhich the primary commercial value depends on“timeliness.” The broadcast flag couldnot be us of digital broadcastwithin the home orsimilar content environment. Finally, a is notlimitedwithrespecttoapproving tec and recording methods foruseindistance initiate a further proceeding fortheapprova providedthatwith rule. Thelegislation Committee, wouldgive theFCC statutory aut electronics devices(s H.R. 5252,asreportedby theSenate Meanwhile, onNovember3,2005,theHouseCommitteeJudiciary heard uch as digital video recorder uch asdigital video ed to restrict the distributi the restrict ed to on todraftlegislation th CRS-28 nking Member John Conyersnking MemberJohn onDecember in 30 days after enactment, the FCC shall 30days FCC in the enactment, after d besubjecttoFCC review under certain introduced by House Judiciary Committee hnologies thatallowfor the redistribution nd distributionofdigital contentobtained l ofdigital outputpr learning activities. The FCC’s authority FCC’slearning activities.The Commerce, Science Commerce, Science hority toproceedwithitsbroadcastflag s) toincorporatetechnology on ofnewsandpublicaffairs at wouldrequireconsumer otection technologies and Transportation http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Smith. RS20425, oppose any “must carry” requirements fo oppose any “mustcarry” requirements receivers. programming by cable topurchase providers isessential DTV forconsumers carriage ofDTV the cable, TVvia their receive Americans because most carriage ofthe DTVprogramming by cable operators. Broadcasters argue that to produce quality local programming wouldbe jeopardized.” carriage provisions,the economic viability oflocal broadcast television and itsability since cableTVhasapredominantpos Th customers. analog their programs to pr TV cable and CompetitionActof1992, Carry” “Must Digital 59 shouldbe whether cableTVproviders broadcast transmissions willfinancially devastate many smaller cable operators. services. Thecableindustry alsocont byma SDTV,andsomecableoperators build amorerobusttransmission(i.e.,gr air TVreception.Inprog addition,HDTV that differenthomeequipment operators may notbethesameasthoseus needed to provideDTV,although thevide channels.Manynon-broadcast other cable mandate wouldrequire cable toprovide DTVprogramming companies toremove finitenumbe a television servicesprovide broadcasters’ DTVprogramming assoon sayoperators theyable totransmit DTV signals.Cable willcarry commercial spectrum licenses forDTV, cable operators mustbuildtheir owninfrastructure tobe unlikethecommerc that, NCTA pointsout they whatc shouldbeabletodecide programming, arguingit wouldbe anthat unlawful taking oftheir property, and that conclusions of the 1992Act AssociationofBroadcasters)National be stations, representedby theAssociationof Appendix A. BackgroundonSelectedPolicy Issues Ibid., tomust p.5.Satellitetelevision isalsosubject carry requirements.CRSReport See The cablecompanies(led by the Nati Responding to the debate between th between Responding tothedebate The commercial broadcasters (primarily Under the“mustcarry” provisions ofth Satellite Television:Historical should apply should toDT may benecessary forcable CRS-29 Information on SHVIA and LOCALand Information onSHVIA ontent they provideontheirownnetworks. required totransmitDTVprogramming, in is decisionwasbasedon the reasoning that eater bandwidth)capabilityrequired thanis ends thatmandating carriage ofallDTV ends onal Cable Television Association,NCTA) ition in themarket,“withoutmandatory ition o transmissionstandardsadopted by cable ed by Thiscouldmean thebroadcasters. y toofferSDTVbutnotHDTV want ramming willrequire Local TelevisionStations,butalsothe e CableTelevisionConsumerProtection operatorsareinvesting intheupgrades e broadcastandcableindustriesover r ofchannelstoconsumers,andany consumer demand warrants it.Cable demand consumer oviders arerequiredtotransmitlocal ial broadcasterswhoweregiven free lieve that the same principles and the smaller networ r cableoperatorcarriage of DTV V services, leading tomandatory services thanforover-the- 59 ks andindependent cable operatorsto , by MarciaS. http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 which cable companies would the AssociationofPublicTelevisionSta commercial broadcasters as part oftheir 6MHZ digital allotment. to impose a dual carriage requi adual impose to also a TheFCC broadcaster. particular are not required to carry more than a single digital programming stream from any carry mandates. agreement, APTSwillnolonger lobby th st carryingpublic uptofourmulticastsof least onepublictelevisionstationina should berequiredtocarry any or all a Atissue iswhether cable operators into separate and discretecontent. streams of which refers tothe abilitytheir ofbroadcasters 6MHZdivide ofdigital to spectrum interest was howmust-carryultimately rules would apply “digitalto multicasting,” as a “single programming stream and other program-related content.” carried by local cable systems. systems Cable carry must “primary video,” defined station thatreturnsitsanalog spectrum immediatelycarriagerightto its asserton a local cable system. Additionally,TV a rule thatadigital-only TVstation, governmental interest.” First Amendment interests isnecessary more than tofurther a substantial “sucharequire tentativelythat concluded TheFCC TVstations. carriage”) oflocal (“dual signals analog anddigital the notably, theFCC rulingdid FCC announced its adoption ofrulesforcable inches, and all television receiving equipm television all and inches, and Order (FCC 02-230)requires a Report Second FCC’s Specifically, the plan requiring mostnewtelevisi phase-in a receive over-the-airbroadcas built in.Suchtelevisionswouldnotrequi possible tomanufacture analog televisions witha digital tuning capability already Afterthedigital an transition,existing receive digital signals unlessthey areatt Broadcast Stations July 1998theFCCinitiated 61 60 Tuners Digital Mandating See[http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/News_Releases/2001/nrcb0103.html]. FCC NoticeofProposedRule On January 31,2005,the National Cable On February 10,2005,theFCC affirmedits The FCC continued to examine themust- , CSDocket No.98-120, 10, 1998. released July 61 While notapproving While a dual a proceeding onthematter. not ted digital signals. On August 8, 2002, theFCCadopted Making on Carriage of Transmissi of Making onCarriage provide dual-carriage (bothan rement oncableoperators. requirecablesystems to all televisionsetswithsc

whether commercialor whether CRS-30 dditional multicastedch ffirmed the previous tentative conclusion not ffirmed theprevioustentativeconclusion tions (APTS)announcedanagreement under nd Order and Second nd OrderandSecond and convertstodigita ached to a converter box. However,itis ached toaconverterbox. market during the transition, aswell transition, the market during e FCCmust- government orCongress for ment appearstobur ent (such as video cassette recorders and cassette (suchasvideo ent on setstocontaindigital tunersby 2007. re aseparateconvert alog television setswillnotbeable to television alog ations afterthetransition.Under carry issuethrough 2004.Ofparticular carriage ofdigital TVsignals. Most Television Association (NCTA) and Television Association(NCTA) prior decisionthatcableoperators carriage mandate, the FCC did FCC the carriage mandate, 60 simultaneously carry both On January On 22,2001,the reen sizes ofat reen sizes least 13 Memorandum Opinion Memorandum non-commercial,can ons ofDigitalTelevision alog anddigital) of at annels transmitted by annels transmitted l operationsmustbe den cableoperators’ er box inorderto er box http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 available at [http://www.dtvprofessional.co sets inuse. NAB says which currently broadcasting, is the survival offreenecessary over-the-airensure and tohasten the DTVtransition by theNationalAssociation ofBroadcas to have digital tuners. At the same time, the FCC did agreeto have tomove digitaldid upthe digital tuners. Atthe sameFCC time, the deadline of July 1,2005for50%oftelevisions to containdigital tuners. the scheduleby whichtelevisi the FCC announcedaNoticeofProposedRule rangethat size bemovedupfromJuly proposedthatthedigital tuner CERC and of televisions inthe 25to36inch (mid-sized) screenrange.Alternatively, size CEA Consumer 2004, theCEA,along withthe petitioned theFCC toeliminatethedeadline [http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=10012]. the-Air TunersSays CEA Journal’s Technology Daily following schedule: DVD players/recordersDT to include 64 63 62 cost. anincremental at signals over-the-air digital receive compatibility between digital televisions and cable systems could be modified to circuitryplay” becausethe mandate, “plug tuner and enabling digital the industries on acable-DTVin FCC mandate oncable-DTV compatibilitystandards. is a “multi-billion dollar onAmericanTV tax consumers,” and called instead foran of householdsrelying on over-t (CEA), consumergroups, groups. andantitax Consumer Electr Clark, Drew, “ElectronicsGroup Shows Flexibility Issue,” onDigital TV National AssociationofBroadcasters, On June 9,2005, theFCC deniedthe June On Subsequently, the agreement between the consumer electronics andcable electronics consumer the between Subsequently, agreement the Association Electronics wasopposedby Consumer plan the phase-in FCC’s The effective July 1,2007. broadcast television signals —100%ofa Devices TV Interface tunerseffectiveinclude DTV July 1,2007. screensizes 13to24inches Receivers with tunerseffectiveinclude DTV July 1,2006. such unitsmustof 100% units must2005; tunerseffective1, includeDTV July screensizes 25to35inches Receivers with must tuners effective includeDTV July 1,2005. units mustparty’s tuners includeDTV 36inchesandabove screen sizes Receivers with 63 onics Association, , January 27,2003. , January VCRs andDVD players/recorders, etc.thatreceive teroperability standard , Press release, Augustavailable2002, 8, at ons with screen sizes of 25to36inchesarerequired ons withscreensizes he-air televisionreception” Americans Should Not Be Forced to Buy DTV Over- DTV Buy Americans ShouldNotBeForcedto Fact Vs. Myth: The DTV Tuner Integration Debate Integration Tuner Fact Vs.Myth:TheDTV CRS-31 1toMarch1,2006.OnFebruary2005, 14, m/2002/08_aug/editorials/nab_dvttuners.htm]. effective July 1, 2004; 100%ofsuchunits V receptioncapability according tothe CEA and CERC petition to eliminate the eliminate CEA andCERCpetitionto Electronics Retailers deadline for all (100%) of televisions in televisions deadline forall(100%)of received by received roughlyTV all of onethird ll suchunits must tuners include DTV ters, who argued that the mandate is mandate the ters, whoargued that of July 1, 2005 for digital tuners in 50% of Julyin tuners 1,2005fordigital TheCEA,citing the“scantpercentage in the 25 to 36 inch screen size range25 to36inchscreensize the in making to consider whethertoadjust —50%ofaresponsibleparty’s — 100% of all such units mustunits such all —100%of dampened CEA’soppositionto 62 —50%ofaresponsible This positionwascountered 64 However,inNovember argued that the mandate the argued that Coalition(CERC), National , http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 fail todisplay required labels. rule, and has leviedthe over aggregate, $3millioninfines, in against retailers who afterFebruarybox 17,2009.TheFCC ism televisions whichinformstheconsumerth attachmatch/DOC-262013A1.pdf]. NovemberTransition,” 3,2005,available at[http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ Transition,” July 26,2007. Transition,” Commerce, “Prepa ScienceandTransportation, Federal Communications hearings Commission, held by theSenate Committee on with screen sizes smallerthan13inches) with screensizes intothe United States (includingshipped ininterstate sets commerceimported or televisions withscreen sizes smaller than 13inches. for commentsonwhetherdigital tune 2007, theFCC adoptedarule permitted tosell analog-only sets fromexisting inventory. television OnApril25, newlyWhile manufacturedorim inches must have digital tuners,from proposed tomoveupthedateby whicha televisionsfromJulytuner deadlineformid-size TheFCC also 1toMarch1,2006. 67 66 65 content against Internet unauthorized re video-on-demand transmissions prerecordedprotect media, pay-per-view,to is designed topermit the studios and Entertainment — announced alicensing agr interception orretransmission in DTCP isdesigned toprotectaudiovisu jointly developedDigital Transmission Administrator(DTL Transmission Licensing Hitachi, Intel, Matsushita, Sony, and Toshiba —formed an entity called the Digital digital content.In 1998,fiveconsumer prevent consumersfrommaking unauthorized interoperabilitythat standa reluctantto provide high quality digital content toDTVowners untilthey areassured Copyright Technology Protection Commission’s Rules and PoliciesAffecting Commission’s Rules Docket No.03-15, FCC07-69, 30 p. FCC News Release, “FCC Modifies Digital TunerRequirementsDigital toAdvance FCC News Digital Release, “FCC Modifies Testimony of Catherine Seidel, Chief, Testimony ofCatherine Seidel,

FCC Second Report and Order, In the Matter of Second Periodic Review of the of SecondReportandOrder,IntheMatterofPeriodicReview FCC On November 3, 2005, the FCC announced its decision to require On November3,2005,theFCC announceditsdecisiontorequire On July 17,2 Many contentproviders(e.g., movie 001, two major 001, two st rds andtechnology licensingto agreements areinplace 66 67 requiring retailers to put a label on all analog-only all on requiring retailerstoputalabel

against copying, unauthorized andtoprotectall thedigital homeenvironment. ported sets musthave a digitalretailers are tuner, July 1,2007toDecember31,2006;andasked CRS-32 udios —Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Consumer andGovernmental AffairsBureau, al and audio content against unauthorized al andaudio to containdigital tunersby2007. March1, electronics manufacturing companies — companies electronicsmanufacturing transmission, while assuring consumers’ transmission, whileassuring Content Protection (DTCP)technology. Content Protection r requirements should be extended to shouldbeextended r requirements the ConversiontoDigital Television at the televisionwillrequireaconverter at ll televisions with screen sizes over13 screensizes with ll televisions eement toadoptDTCP.Theagreement onitoring compliancewiththelabeling ring ConsumersDigitalTelevision for the studios and broadcast networks)are studios andbroadcast A, alsoknownas“5C”)tolicensea copies andInternet transmissionsof all , MB sets 65 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 consumer groups have with some companies supporting andothers strongly supportedbycontent industry, the were received,mostfro television. Thecommentperiodclosed useofacopythe prot should mandate FCC canand the whether DTV transition,theFCC solicitedpubliccommenton that the lack ofdigital broadcast copy protection isa significant impediment to the 231, MB Docket02-230)in the matter of di becompromised. Use”)would “Fair retransmission notapproved by content providers, legitimate consumer rights (e.g. effectively banany Additionally, they flag would broadcast argue, becausethe functionalityadversely ofconsumer electronicsbe equipment affected. will pr to meet certainspecificationsinorder as well as consumer groups) electronic assert that devices because willhave tobe Opponents ofabroadcastflag (many consum programs, orfromdistributing such copies broadcast flag frommaking willnotprevent physical consumers copies ofDTV programming availableoverthedigital airw by ensure to flag arecrucial abroadcast America and other piracy against content protections the offered argue providers) that [http://www.dtcp.com/data/ First StudioLicensesfor Digital Home Protection ofDigitalTelevisi Technical WorkingTechnical Group (CPTWG). industries fromthemotionpictureandtechnologyengineers 3,2002,agroup of June Internetof distributionorretransmission require digital broadcastcont Universal,andMGM)s Fox, Paramount, Bros.Pictures andWarner wasannounced, toward cable and satellite exclusively. the 5Cagreementafter Aweek withSony inability toencrypt over-the -air broadcasts will cause high quality content tomigrate (ABC, CBS, and Fox) have opposed the 5C the (ABC, CBS, haveopposed andFox) protected.be until broadcastAdditionally, content can also broadcast networks DTLA with agreements sign licensing to havebeenreluctant studios major Other cable orsatellite,thetec programming. ability tocontinue customaryrecording ofbroadcast and home subscription 70 69 68 DTLA Press Release, “DTLA, Sony PressRelease,“DTLA, Pict DTLA The Broadcast ProtectionDi The Formore information RL33797, onthebroadcast flag, seeCRSReport On August 9,2002,theFCC issuedanotice of proposed rulemaking (FCC 02- Those supporting abroadcastflag (such Broadcast Flag. 70 releasedadetailed“broadcastfl 68 also expressed opposition. also expressed m individualcitizens. 69 hnology doesnotprotectover-t While DTCP protects content delivered tothehomevia DTCPprotectscontentdelivered While press/DTCP_PRESS_010717.pdf]. on: The‘BroadcastVideo Flag’ scussion Group(BPDG),a subgr ent tobe encrypted with CRS-33 ures Entertainment andWarnerBros.Announce onFebruary 18,2003;over6000comments Network Technology,” July 17, 2001,see ocess the broadcast flag, theinnovationand the ocess ubmitted a proposal to DTLAwould ubmitted aproposalto which digital content broad that content providers make high-value thatcontentprovidersmake ection mechanismfordigital broadcast thetechnology industry remainsdivided, withinaperson’shomedigital network. opposing thisparticularproposal.Some gital broadcast copy protection. Noting standard, arguingstandard, thatthetechnology’s er electronicsandhi the five other major studios (Disney, the fiveothermajorstudios ag” theproposalis proposal.While as the Motion PictureAssociationof Motion the as aves. Supporters alsoargue thata Supporters aves. a “broadcast flag” preventing a “broadcast , by Yeh. BrianT. he-air broadcastcontent. oup oftheCopy Protection cast over-the-air.On gh techcompanies, Copyright http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 was notenactedby the109 broadcasters would besubjecttoFCC determine whether that “timeliness” criteria ismet. Such determination by commercial value depends on“timeliness.” The FCC wouldallow broadcasters to ofnews and public affairs programming ofwhich the primary distribution similar environment. Finally, restrict the to a broadcastused flag could notbe digital broadcastof content withinthe home or that allow forthe redistribution activities. TheFCC’s authority isnotlimite output protectiontechnologies andrecordin after enactment,theF 30days within that provided legislation The flag broadcast rule. its proceed with Committee, wouldhave given the FCCand Transportation statutory authority to recording methods. a ReportandOrderapproving thirteendi digital tuner (a set-top box) digital tuner(aset-topbox) by carried content the an signals, digital future, many consumers willcontinue touse analog televisions. In order to display commonly In “analog hole.” is asthe what foreseeable referredto the is providers In the109 November 4,2003. Digital BroadcastContent Protection Method Certifications however, contentprotection recognized. is flag broadcast when the procedure for contentprotectiontechnology.procedure Further NoticeofProposedRulemaking to not determine whetheror technology meetsFCC criteria.Aftera whereby protection procedure” certifycontent would their parties “interim that protection technologies that signal wouldhavebeenrequiredto DTV By July 1,2005,allconsumerelectronicsde “broadcastinsertinga option of flag” intotheir over-the-air broadcast transmissions. 72 71 the 109 theFCC’s br broadcast transmissions.With of authorityuse regulate consumers’ to thattheFCC hasno ruled struck downtheFCC’s broadcastflag rules. TheCourt digital televisionsandrela objecting totheFCC rule mandating that anappealfiled in Columbia heard

FCC Report and Order and Further Notice of Notice FCC ReportandOrder Further FCC OrderintheMatter ofDigitalOut Analog Hole. On November 4,2003,theFCC adopteda November On On February 22, 2005, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals forthe District of On February 22,2005,theU.S.CircuitCourtofAppeals th Congress consideredlegisla th Congress, H.R. 5252,asreportedby 72 , FCC04-193, released August 12,2004. Another copyright protection issue of concern tocontent Anothercopyrightconcern protectionissueof CC shallinitiateafurtherproceed ted electronicsby July 1,2005.OnMay6, 2005,theCourt th which converts the signal from digital to analog. At this which convertsthesignal analog. fromdigital to will limittheredistributionof Congress. approve thatparticulartec technologies must beappr technologies , MBDocket No.02-230, FCC03-273, released March 2004by library andconsumergroups tion mandating abroadcastflag. CRS-34 review undercertainconditions. H.R. 5252 Before DTVdevicescanbemanufactured, televisions and other devices which receive which devices andother televisions in order to formulate apermanentapproval to inorder period ofpubliccomment,theFCC would copy protectiontechnology beincludedin alog televisions will alogwill televisions put Protection Technology and Recording put ProtectionTechnology and gital output protection technologies and technologies gital outputprotection vices capableof recei be manufactured to incorporate content incorporate to be manufactured d withrespectto approving technologies 71 g forusein methods oadcast flag rulenegated by the Court, OnAugust 4,2004,theFCC adopted ProposedRulemakingin the Matterof rule whichgives broadcastersthe theSenateCo ing for the approval of digital approval ing forthe hnology. TheFCC issued a oved. TheFCC setforthan digitalcontent television be equippedwitha ving anover-the-air distancelearning mmerce, Science http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 16, 2005. Chairman James Sensenbrenner andRa Sensenbrenner Chairman James Security Actof2005(H.R.4569),intr FCC order permitted cable operators to continue to provide integrated set-top boxes device, themanufacturer must sign aPOD-Host Interface License Agreement (“PHILA”). would satisfactorily operate inev operators security interface”isrequiredtoensure that electronics device to provide thesecurity re a “CABLEcard” card (subsequentlyas referredto legislation. mechanism called “CGMS-A plusVeil” signaling ananalog rights recognize to tuners) PC-based or recorders video Property, theAnalog ContentProtectionAct, Committee onthe Judiciary, SubcommitteeInternet onCourts,the Intellectualand point, thedigital signal, evenifcontent 74 73 to theconsum components security functionsandtomakeava tose operators 98-116) requiredthecable flip from channeltocha to subscriber “integrated” withtwoovera provider toprotectitssignal fromtheft. remotecontrolunits) (i.e. set-topboxes, regulationsassure theto commercial consumer availability“navigation of devices” compatibility and interoperability withcable systems. ofhowDT details technical specific embarkedonanoften have — operators industry (including manufactur electronics withouttheuseofaset-topbox systems products fromconsumerelectr interoperabilitynationalof a consumersstandard, had been unable topurchase DTV by subscriber company.absence the cable to local the the Given leased box set-top cablesystems. Traditionally, interoperability has been achievedproprietary via the necessary inorder forconsumers tobe able towatch digital programmingover their Cable/DTV Interoperability Standards 3, 2005,the Committee heard witnesses in System coupledwiththeVeilTechnologies providers areseeking toprevent. copying content andInternet the transmission unauthorized the to subject form then beeasilycould which analog c form See[http://judiciary.house.gov/Oversight.aspx?ID=202]. AlsoreferredtoasaPointof Deployment or Section 304ofthe Telecommunications Interoperabilitybetween digital televisions and standards cable systems are During the109 73 The draft legislation wasthebasi legislation Thedraft th Congress, discussiondraftlegi er electronicsindustry. ll functions:security andna onics storeswhichcanbedirectly connected to cable nnel). A1998orderadoptedby theFCC (FCC CRS-35 ilable (by July 1,2000)modularsecurity ilable nking Member John Conyersnking MemberJohn onDecember onverted intoasimilarly unprotecteddigital protected, is converted intoanunprotected is protected, POD modules from all thedifferentlocalcable ery device. manufacture To a“PODreliant” without jeopardizing the rights ofacable rights the without jeopardizing V devicesmight achievenation-wide . Twoseparateentities—theconsumer oduced by Committee HouseJudiciary “POD” module, thiswouldconsistofasmart Currently, are boxes proprietaryset-top quired by thecable operator.A“national by quired (Analog Copy Gene contentious process parate thesecurity functionsfromnon- ers andretailers)thecablesystem Rights Assertion Mark). OnNovember Assertion Rights wouldrequiredevices(suchasdigital support and Act of 1996 directedtheFCC toadopt ) thatcouldbeinsertedinto theconsumer s forthe Digital Transition Content 74 Allowing time for transition, the transition, Allowingfor time slation released by released slation House the vigation (i.e. allowing the vigation (i.e. allowing oppos ration Management of determining the ition tothe draft http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Proposed Rulemaking) to examine remainingProposed Rulemaking) issues. toexamine the Orderinitiatedasubsequentproposed required fortwo-way servicessuchasvi “CableCARD”) that mustbeinto the inserted wouldstillbe TVset. Aset-top box to obtainfromtheir cable would have company totheconsumer)withoutneed and play” one-way receive would cable that the sets (from signals digital television consumer electronicsindustrie th adopted, withcertainmodifications, groups. of personalvideor America, makers byexpressed severalorga the industryagreement. Oppositionto 3) seeking commentontheMOUandpropos January 7,2003,theFCC issuedaFurther Noticeof Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 03- (such asvideoondemand)withouttheneed enable would that standard “bidirectional” the agreement. According totheMOU, of U filed aMemorandum integrated, unidirectionaldi announced they hadreachedanagreement should beimplemented. technical details (including copy protection requirements) ofhowinteroperability and retailersthecable interoperability cable/DTV standard. However, consumer electronics manufacturers (O Platform Applications OpenCable i cable research organization ofthe television receiverstocab on asetoftechnicalrequirementsthat National CableTelevision toJulyagain extended 1,2007. would beprohibited.Thisdeadlinewass Januarythrough 1,2005.Afterthatdate,th 75 In itsruling settingCableCARD. theJulya 1,2007deadlinefor conjunction with can no longer be“integ customers their scrambledview programming.to New provided set-top by boxes cableto operators which can be inserted intothe “plug and digital signal mustbeprotectedby a available at [http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-238850A1.pdf]. FCC PressRelease, On September 10, On December19,2002,thecableandc On February 22,20 Under the current FCC rule, after Julyafter Under thecurrentFCC rule, FCC Eases Digital Transition forConsumers Digital FCC Eases 2003, the F 00, the 00, the Cons industrycontinued todisagr nizations, including the Motion Picture Association of Association includingnizations, theMotionPicture le televisionsystems. In January 2002,CableLabs (a Association (NCTA)announ Association gital cabletelevision receive nderstanding (MOU)withtheFCC, outlining the s. The new rules allowed forthemanufactureof“plug rules new s. The CC adopted a Second Report and Order which CableCARD (supplied by thecableprovider) (supplied CableCARD CRS-36 umer Electronics Association (CEA) and the ecording technology (TiVo),andconsumer ndustry) publishedspecificationsforthe CAP), whichwouldserveasauniform e MOUagreement betweenthecableand deo on demand or pay-pedeo ondemandor ubsequentlyand toJuly2006, extended 1, play” television set, permit the direct c permit thedirect consumers to receive advancedservices receive to consumers 1, 2007,thesecurity oftheunidirectional operator asecurityoperator or card(a“POD” the agreement’s “encoding rules”was rulemaking (Second Further rulemaking Noticeof (Second on acablecompatibility standardforan industries willconti for a set-top box. However,consumers box. foraset-top rated,” that is,they must operate in e saleorleaseofnewintegrated boxes for navigationan external device.On ing FCCrulesnece onsumer electronics industries onsumer electronics 75 ee over thepaceandspecific r. Thetwoindustry groups ced avoluntary agreement and allowconsumers onnection ofdigital , September 10, 2003, ssary toimplement nue tonegotiate a r-view. Finally, http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 cable and consumer electroni consumer and cable bidirectional signals (usedforpay-per-v been granted waivers,andmustcomply withtheJuly 1,2007deadline. satellite (DBS) orInternet protocol (IP)-based video services. proposed ruleshouldapply toothernon-cab sucha onwhether seeking comment also is FCC The equipment. electronics ensure bidirectionalto compatibility ofcable television systems and consumer ofProposedRulemaking seekingNotice bidirectional navigation devices.OnJune attachmatch/DOC-274776A1.pdf] Set-Top Boxes communities. Stations are also c systems andclosednetworksused by used toestablish Homeland Security public workforce development,public to provide programming streams dedicated toformal and children’s education, communities. For public televi example, asanopportunity toe television digital available toexclusively over-the-airhouse would mechanism wasputinplacewhich opposed toanearly deadlineforreturn to digital. Unlike commercial broadcasters, public television broadcasters were not agencies. functionality)indus anddivert consumers ofleasing the two years. Cableproviders argued that sought waivers from the FCC, urging thattheJuly by 1,2007deadlinebeextended of theprohibition.AsJuly 1,2007d waivers for requests entertain would it that stated FCC the boxes, set-top integrated 76 Digital Conversion 2009. pledging equipment, aswellforoperators some waivers forsmall cable operators rely onthe supplied set-top by boxes cableUltimately, providers. the FCC granted “plug and play”integrated digitalwith sets tuners, and continue tooptforsets which further diminished, thereby making itmore likelynot purchaseconsumerswould that thevalueofCabl deadline wasextended, consumer electronicsindustr Ca available in2008or2009,rendering generation network architect security(“downloadable security”) willlikely be transition. neededforthedigital boxes FCC PressRelease, Meanwhile, because CableCARDs do not donot signalsecurityprovide becauseCableCARDs Meanwhile, fortwo-way The FCC setadeadlineofMay 1, 2003 for 76 Large cable operators — such as Comcast and Time Warner —have not —suchas ComcastandTimeWarner operators Largecable , June 29,2007.Available, June at[http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ Media Bureau Acts on Requests for Waiver ofRulesonIntegrated Media BureauActsonRequests for new CableCARDenabledboxes of PublicBroa y, onthe other hand, argued that if the July 1,2007 tryresources fromdeveloping cs industry continuetone affairsandlocalissues, onducting pilo CRS-37 public safety andem imposing the ban would raise the costs to the imposing thebanwouldraise iew or video-on-demand, for example), the iew or video-on-demand,forexample), eCARD technologyeCARD to consumerswouldbe nhance and expand servicesto theirlocal nhance andexpand eadline approached,many cable providers 29, 2007, the FCC releasedaThirdFurther the 2007, 29, sion stationsareusing multicastchannels comment onindustry-proposed standards Cable companiesalsoargued thatnext- holds. Public broadcasting stationsview holds. ing analog spectrum, provided that a ing analog spectrum,providedthat an all-digital conve experiencing difficulty obtaining new experiencing safety networks,in bleCARD technology obsolete.The bleCARD ensure that converter boxes aremade ensure thatconverterboxes le providerssuchasdirectbroadcast dcasting Stations public televisionst t programs, whereby dat and addressing underserved and addressing gotiate onastandardfor (without adding any (withoutadding new low-costdigital set-top ergency management rsion by February 17, cluding public alert cluding public ations toconvert

acasts are acasts http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 reported that digital conve reported thatdigital and FY2010 Digital Deadline Television bytheCorporation forPublicBroadcasting 2007, 340publictelevisionstations 79 78 77 enacted. 7,2007,theHouseA On June be takenfro would million proposals, the$30.6 digital conversionprogram inFY2008. transmission equipment.TheAdminis provides matching grants to million forPTFP. 2007. TheConsolidatedAppropriations 3093 onJuly 26,2007.TheSe passed H.R. approved abill(H.R.3093;H.Rept. 110- OnJulyFY2008.million toPTFP in Appropriations Committeeappr nofunding 29,2007,theSenate requested forPTFP inFY2008. OnJune digital conversioninFY1998.as FY2008, For matching grantse forpublicbroadcasting transmitters, translators,a equipment andphysical infrastructure Department U.S. of (RUS), Service Agriculture. Public Television Station Digital Trans Department ofCommer Telecommunications and InformationNational Administration (NTIA) at the Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP), a grant program administered by the television stationsfordig arethreefederalpr There conversion. of digital conversionforpublic for Public Broadcasting and other public television stakeholders estimated the cost public televisionstations,especially those digital transition. estimates thatpublictelevi to maintain a single digital broadcast service that meets FCC requirements. CPB with high definitionproductioncapacity a digital signal. Stationsarecurrentlydi at each of these programs. each ofthese financials/appropriati CorporationforPublicBroadcasting, U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. Government Accountability Office, According tothe Corporation forPub The Digital Distribution Fund attheCorporationfor PublicBroadcasting (CPB) Public broadcastershavesought asubs PTFP funding is used to helppublic used PTFP funding is , February 2007,p.11-13. Availabl , GAO-02-466, 23,2002, p. 16. April 77 Raising money forthedigital on/justification_08-10.pdf] ce; 2)theDigital Distribution nd productionequipment).Th rsion wouldcosteachsta ital conversion. Those prog ital conversion.Those sion stations need $400 sion stationsneed$400 publictelevisionstations oved abill(S.1745;S.Rept.110-124)providing $20 television stations at $1.7 b television stationsat$1.7 12, 2007,theHouseAppropriationsCommittee (out of a total of 349) wereontheairwitha 349) of (outofatotal Appropriation Request andJustificationFY2008 Appropriation Request CRS-38 ppropriations SubcommitteeonLabor-HHS- 240) providing $21.728 million. The House 240) providing $21.728million.The ograms whichprovidefunding topublic ition Grant Program at the Rural Utilities fferent stages ofthedigitalfferent transition,some tration requested $30.6 million for CPB’s million tration requested$30.6 Issues Related to Federal Funding for Public for Issues RelatedtoFederal Funding Act,2008(P.L. 110-161)provided $18.8 Many Broadcasters Will Not Meet May 2002 May Many BroadcastersWillMeet Not quipment for over40years,quipment began tofund in smallmarkets.In 1997,theCorporation nd/or multicasting, whileothersstruggle required for digital conversion(e.g. required fordigital As inpreviousAdministrationbudget lic Broadcasting (CPB), asofJanuary lic Broadcasting(CPB), nate passedH.R.3093onOctober16, televisionstationspay forthenew tantial federal contribution for digitaltantial federal contribution m advanceappropr in previousyears, the Administration Table 2 conversion isachallenge formany e at[http , GAO-04-284, 2004,p. 51. April tion approximately $3million. million to fully complete the Fund at the CPB, and3)the at Fund e PTFP, whichhasprovided showsfunding historiesfor for the purchase of digital of purchase for the rams are:1)thePublic ://www.cpb.org/ illion. iations previously 78 In 2002,GAO aboutcpb/ 79 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 October 23,2007.TheConferenceReport(H $29.7 110-107) thatwouldalsoprovide 2007, the Se 20, 3043; H.Rept. 110-231). The HousepassedH.R.3043onJuly 19,2007. On June Education approved$29.7millionin“new 2007, included nofunding fordigital conve byH.Rept. 110-258),approved theHous funding isnotanticipated.”TheHous effectively makefunding av areas. The Committee noted that FY $10millionforpublicbroa 110-134) providing 19, 2007,theSenateAppropria requested nofunding fortheRUSdigita ofdigital purchaseorlease the for areas Utilities Service(RUS)providesfunding to conversion. Appropriations Act, 2008 $29.7million.TheConsolidated provide House onNovember6,2007,would Y071. 005.0 5.0 5.0 10.0 14.0 30.0 — 30.0 — 29.7 39.7 — 50.0 — 15.0 48.7 — 12.3 25.0 notyet announced — 11.7 20.0 9.8 — 25.0 FY2008 — 36.0 FY2007 — 35.0 FY2006 18.0 FY2005 15.7 FY2004 12.5 FY2003 FY2002 FY2001 FY2000 FY1999 FY1998 Table 2.FederalFundingforDigitalConversion ofPublic The Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant Program at thePublic Rural The nate Appropriations Committee approved a bill(S. 1710;S.Rept. (announced grant (announced funding awarded funding conversion) for digital for (P.L. 110- PTFP ailable beforethetransiti Television Stations tions Committee approved a b tions Committeeapproveda ($millions) CRS-39 e Agriculture AppropriationsAct(H.R.3161; 161) also provided $29.7 millionfor digital broadcasting equipment. The Administration l conversion program in FY2008. On July On l conversionprogram inFY2008. million. TheSenatepassedH.R.3043on 2008 isthelastappropriation thatcan e AppropriationsCommittee onJuly 19, funding for digital for funding rsion. The Housepassed H.R.3161on public televison stations serving rural public televisonstations (appropriated money” digital conversion(H.R. for conversion) dcasting digital conversioninrural .Rept. 110-424), agreed toby.Rept. 110-424),agreed the CPB CPB on deadline and that “future on deadlineandthat ill (S. funding for digital for funding (appropriated conversion) 1859; S.Rept. RUS http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 LPTV stations and mustmeet outlines the tobe eligible forclass Astatus, beaccordedprimarylicensees astele status full-power TVstationsfrom inthe transition toDTV. The act directs that class A ofprotection a measure qualifying to them giving A”status a “class LPTVlicensees, Communications Omnibus Reform Actof 1999 was enactedaspa of Protection Act many wouldstilllosetheirlicenses licensees didprovideforsomeLPTV licen theFCC’s FebruaryWhile 1998modificati have arisen that many LPTV stations willlose their licenses inthe transition toDTV. Concerns stations. television service offull reception the in interference cause not for VHFchannelsor kilowatts 3 exceed areas and individual communities within larger urban areas. LPTV stations may not stations fordigital conversion. grants Services torural public inRural television Areas,”) which wouldauthorize “Telemedicine, Library Connectivity, P by onDecember 14,2007, theSenate infrastructure toenhance digitalareas.” servicesrural to The Senate farm bill,passed that serve rural areas forthe purposes of developing digital facilities, equipment, and authority toprovidegrants to“noncommerc which givesStations”) the Secretary Rural Public Television ofAgriculture the byHouse onJulythe 27,2007,contains provided $5millionforpublicbroadcasting August 2, 2007. The Consolidated A August 2,2007.TheConsolidated Low Power TV Power Low Reauthorization Act “Digital White Areas”:Provisionsofth information onthisissue,seeCRSReportRS21990, companies tooffer “distant digital signals” ifcertain conditions aremore For met. Appropriations Act(P.L. 108-447).SHVE Act (SHVERA) as and Reauthorization signals. In November2004,Congress passe network digital signals via th creating “digital white areas” such that some subscribers may be eligible fordistant thepossibility 4501/H.R.4518/S.2644)whichwouldexplore of Congress (H.R. netw signals (from“outofmarket” network Satellite Television and “Digital White Areas” signals from their local broadcasters. Legislationsignals wasbroadcasters. fromtheir local introduced intothe 108 broadcast they areas”—meaning analog television “white in inadequate receive To provide some reliefprovide for LPTV licensees,To the Community Broadcasters Low PowerTelevision(LPTV) wascreated Meanwhile, the Farm, Nutrition,andBi Under current law, satellite television providers are permitted toprovide distant .

eir satellitedishifthey ca under FCC digital transitionplans. CRS-40 e 2004Satellite Home ViewerExtensionand ppropriations Act,2008(P.L. 110-161) ppropriations 150 kilowattsforUHFchannels,andmust a provision (section 6028, “Assistance for a provision(section6028,“Assistance ublic Television,andDistanceLearning 1999 (P.L. 106-113).Thislawestablished vision broadcasters,vision prescribes criteria the RA provideslimitedauthority for satellite ial educationtelevision broadcast stations sees to be relocated to new frequencies, sees toberelocatednew oenergy Actof2007 ork affiliates)only to partoftheFY2005 Consolidated d theSatelliteHome contains aprovision(section6302, on to its table of allotments forDTV allotments of on toitstable digital conversioninruralareas. rt oftheIntellectual Property and by theFCC in1982toserve rural nnot receivelocaldigital TV Satellite and Television (H.R. 2419),passed subscribersliving Viewer Extension th http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 be considered in the FCC’s Third DTV periodic review proceeding. review DTVperiodic Third FCC’s the in be considered stations. Thefinaltransitiondate— operation, theFCC didnotset a digital tr conversion ofLPTV andtransl stations. OnSeptember9,2004,theFCC a comment lowpower onrules fordigital television and digital television translator shouldbeentitle licensees A whether class rights as fullservice television stations. A class that ruled subsequently The FCC be grantedshould thesame“must- licenses full-power broadcast TV stations. A petition Television Stations Translator, andTelevision BoosterStations the Commission’sRulesto EstablishRulesfo of Class ATelevisionService, coverage initscommunity oflicense. by thecable system,served (of astate) and stationlicensedtoanypower TV community w stationhasapopulati license oftheLPTV interference protectionclassA 84 83 82 81 80 51 subjecttoF channel broadcasting above mayreportstations) stated that low-powerA stations (other continue than Class stations. The conference on howtocomplete the digitallow-power transition for may continueanalog broadcastsafterthatda stations mustceaseanalog broadcasting “ that 109-171; H.Rept.109-362)clarified criteria. certain meet Under the1992act,someLPTV stationsar full-power TVbroadcastersthatrequest are required totransmit totheir audiences the locally-generated programming of all provide free, over-the-air programming totheir communities. licensees, tofacilitate the acquisition ofcapital forLPTV stations tocontinue to implement the act, in Aprilthe FCC 2000, established rules for class A LPTV DOC-251978A1.pdf]. Docket No.00-10, FCC00-115, releasedApril4,2000. criteria(47USC534)include(among Those Forfurtherinformation, see[http://hra FCC MemorandumOpinionandOrderonReconsid FCC ReportandOrderintheMatterofEst FCC NoticeofProposedRulemaking inthe On August 6,2003theFCC adoptedaNoticeofProposed Rulemaking The Conference Report accompanyingThe Conference th In accordancewiththe1992CableAct( , MBDocket No.03-185, FCC03-198, releasedAugust 29,2003. 81 The FCC’s April 2000 ruling didnotaddressthequestionof MM Docket No. 00-10,DocketNo. FCC01-123,MM releasedApril13,2001. ator stations. requiri While stations must provide to ot to stations mustprovide on whichanalog operations will cease— CRS-41 carriage, aprovisionknownas“must-carry.” 82 by FebruaryLow-powerstations 18,2009.” on not exceeding 35,000, that there is no full- no is on notexceeding 35,000,thatthere that the LPTV stationprovidesthat theLPTV theonly news ablishment ofClassATelevisionService

ansition deadline for LPTV andtranslator stations donothavethesamemustcarry and to Amend Rules for DigitalClassA for Rules andtoAmend ithin thecounty or otherpoliticalsubdivision r Digital Low Power r DigitalLowPower Matter ofAmendmentParts 73 and74of only full-powerstations,notlow-power carry” statusasfull-powerbroadcasters. CC decisions“solong asthosestations’ te, subject to futuredecisionsby the FCC other requirements)community thatthe of 47 USC 534),cable 47 USC television providers d tothe“must-carry” provision,asare unfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/ e entitledto“must-carry”status ifthey filed withthe FCC argued that class A dopted rules to allow forthedigital dopted rulestoallow e DeficitReductionActof2005(P.L. eration intheMatterofEstablishment ng theconversiontodigital her televisionstations.To 80 Television, Television 84 83 to seek to , MM http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/ lptv/index.html]. corresponding full-powertelevi in to-analog conversion device (including ClassA,translator,orboosterte Information Administration ofthe Department ofCommerce. grant programs are administered by the National Telecommunications and fromanalogstations equipment todigital toupgrade inrural communities. Both October 1,2008)willbeavaila $1000. device exceed customers. In nocaseshallthecompensati 1,2007)tocompen October 2009 (starting and publicsafety officials.” use of thosechannelsissecondary tothe 86 85 permits isequippedwithan the converterbox analog signal unless LPTVstation’s the receive to beable not signal, would digital installs aconverterbox that signals, and analog signals. Ahouseholdthatrecei Februarythe to 17, 2009digital conversiond addition toreceiving andconve digital-to-analog converter analog stationstodigital, w Upgrade Program,upgrading whichof willreimburseLPTVcosts and the translator February 17,2009.TheLow-29, 2007,and analog Appli channel. power station’s digital signal ofa full-power television station toanalog fortransmission onthe low- a purchase digital-to-analog must that broadcasts.Theprogram willprovi analog w Conversion grant program that stations, has filed a complaint against th The LPTV representing Community A (CBA), andClass Association Broadcasters andpose possible the costofboxes in argu converter boxes, capability incertified ForfurtherinformationNTIA’s on LPTV For moreFor information onthese grant programs, seetheNTIA websiteat Additionally, funding not to exceed $65 million during FY2009 (starting FY2009 Additionally, funding$65millionduring nottoexceed P.L.FY2008- $10millionduring109-171 alsoprovidesfunding nottoexceed A growing issue of concern to LPTV and Class A stations is the capability of 2007, NTIA29, On October announcedthest but doesnot require ill beannouncedatafuturedate. boxes topassthrough broadcastedanalogboxes signals in manufacturers to install an order toconvertthedigita rting digital signals. LPTV stations are notsubject ble toreimburselow-power sion stations and provide analog signalssion stationsandprovideanalog totheir ill help low-power television stations continue LPTVDigital_070622_files/frame.htm]. CRS-42 cations cations are October between being accepted conversion devicetoconverttheincoming use ofthosechannelsby the auction winners ves bothfull-powerandLPTV broadcast grant programs, see [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ alog signalcapability. passthroughNTIA in ordertoreceivethefull-powerstation’s terference problems for the digital signal.digital terference problemsforthe e FCC asserting that the NTIA-certified on forasingle digital-to-analog converter levision stations) for the cost of a digital- stations) forthecostofa levision de fundstoeligible ing thatsucharequirementcouldraise eadline, and willcontinuetobroadcast sate low-powerte Power TelevisionandTranslator art oftheLPTV Digital-to-Analog l signals received fromtheir analog signal passthrough televisionstationsfor 86 85 low-powerstations levision stations http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 ancillary orsupplementary servicespres prohibition against advertis statutory the that ruled also FCC However,the services. broadcast educational to usetheirentiredigital capacity their long-term viability. regulated, arguing thattooheavy aburden and infomercials.They alsowarnthat commercial broadcasters,arguing that Some consumergroups on sayenough thattheFCC’s spectrum feesarenotheavy revenue-generating services,andwhether compensation. theywhich specified fees orother charge subscription fromancillary ors revenues their gross for (suchaslicensees auctions offairness out fees shouldberequired should compensatetheAmericanpeoplefo pressure onthe FCC toestablish a fee program, arguing that commercial broadcasters regardingth implementationof determine howmuchnon-co consider themnewservices.TheF shopping channelsand“infomercials”arenot interactive materials, aural messages, paging services, and audio signals. Home include subscription video,softwaredist subscription include [http://www.dtvnow.org/documents/dtvconv5.pdf]. Federal Communications Commission Compliance of Digital ConverterBoxes Spectrum opposed thatprovision, however, anditwas broadcasters topay aspectrum usage fee of $2 analog over-the-air tele Fees forAncillary or violatetheAll-Channe converter boxes 89 88 87 of that resource.” uses to permit such use,and(ii)toavoidunjus commercial ofthevaluepublicspect portion a bedesigned (I) offees“shall public recoverforthe to collection the that states annual feeorot licensee...an establish a compensation, theFCC “shall ancillarywhic orsupplementalservicesfor Community BroadcastersAssociation, Budget The Resolutionof1997(H.Con.Res FCC Report and Order on Fees for Ancillary or Supplementary UseSupplementary ofDigital Television or FCCAncillary ReportandOrder onFeesfor On October 11, 2002, theFCC ruledthat In November1998, the FCC adoptedrulesto The TelecommunicationsAct(P.L. 104-104) , MMDocket No.97-247, released November 19,1998. vision broadcastsignals. ing onnoncommercial broadcas her schedule or method of pa her scheduleormethodof Supplemental Services mmercial stations can use the DTV spectrum for spectrum mmercial stationscanusetheDTV personal communicationsservices). is law.Publicinterest With the All ChannelReceiverAct CRS-43 88 Petition for Declaratory Ruling, In the Matter of Matter Petition forDeclaratory Ruling,Inthe most revenue willcomefromhomeshopping CC hasinitiatedasepa Congress isoverseeing theFCC’s actions t enrichmentthrough themethodemployed primarily fornonprof ented on an excess DTVchannelsthat does ented onanexcess December 7,2007,11p.Available at: public broadcasters should not be over- publicbroadcastersshouldnotbe upplementary usesofDTVspectrumfor placed onpublicbroadcasterscouldimpair l ReceiverActifthey of blockreception not includedintheBudget Act of1997. to thosewhopaidforspectrumatFCC billion over five years. Broadcasters strongly rum resource made available forsuch available resourcemade rum h they receiveasubscription feeor other they should have to pay spectrum fees. they shouldhavetopay spectrum program toassessandcollectfromthe r the use of theDTVspectrum,andthat use the r ribution, datatrans subject to feesbecausetheFCCdidnot subject noncommercial stati .84) included.84) a provision requiring 87 requirebroadcasterstopay 5%of states thatifaDTVlicensee offers groups havealsomaintained yment...” Theactfurther ts doesnotapply toany it, noncommercial, rate proceeding to rate proceeding missions, teletext, ons arerequired , filedbeforethe 89 These http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 released October17,2001. Television CapacitybyNoncommercialLicensees no actionwastakenregarding pub which implementsseve commercial messages.commercial Specifically, theOr and therequirementthatchildrenarepr obligationtheguidelines issued toprovideon educational programmingchildren for children’s programming obligations fordigital television broadcasters. The FCC Conversion toDigitalTelevision require televisionbroadcaste standardized formhowtheystandardized areserving th Public InterestForm they as obligations ofTVbroadcasters Committee submittedasetofr Afteraseries interest organizations. selected fromgovernment, thebroad licensees should compensate thepublicfo Interest Obligations ofDTVBroadcaste Public Interest provided ontheirDTVservice. fee of fivepercent gro TheFCC furthe not constitutebroadcasting. 92 91 90 obligation ofbr 167), whichfocusedonthe the FCC issued the a NoticeofInquiry (NOI) proceeding tosolicit House referredthereport White to th recommend mandating thefreeairtimeas discourse inthe30days priortoan including providing five minutes per night ofair time forcandidate-centered 1998. Therecommendationsconsistofmos issue. January 27,2003,hasaskedforfurthercomme andpolic rules Periodic ReviewofFCC those proceedings. Given the significant programs. The children’s in advertising informational programming forchildren, and the requirement that licensees limit 04-221, releasedNovember 23,2004,54p. Television Obligati NPRM,

Report andOrderFurther Noticeof Proposed FCC Report andOrder intheMatterofAnc Report FCC On September 9,20 After reviewing publiccomment,the In March 1997, President Clinton esta In Clinton March1997,President 91 On August 4,2004,theFCC adopt August On Second PeriodicReviewof theCommi ons ofDigitalTelevisionBroadcasters Children’s DTVPublic Interest Obligations ofDTVBroadcasters Notice of ProposedRulemaki of Notice ral steps identified in the S ral stepsidentifiedin ss revenuesgenerated 04, the FCC04, a rs (bothdigital andanalog ecommendations to Vice President GoreinDecember ecommendations toVice , pp.39-42. 90 lic interest obligations. e FCC, which onDecember15,1999,opened CRS-44 transitiontoDTV(MMDocketNo.99-360). ofpublicmeetings in1997and1998,the election. Somepane casting industry, academia,andconsumer rs, tomakerecommendationsonhow DTV amount oftimethathaspassed,theSecond otected from excessive andinappropriate otected fromexcessive r theirlicenses.Committeememberswere e public interest. Also in September2000, Also e publicinterest. dopted a Report and Order ies affecting DTVconversion,issuedon FCC hasnotyet issuedany decisionsin FCC, inSeptember2000,issued the blished anAdvisoblished der increases the required amount of core of amount der increasestherequired well as other Committeeproposals.The oadcasters toprovi ed aReportandOrder(FCC-04-192) r ruledthatpublicstationsmustpay a tly voluntarytly actionsby broadcasters, by ancillary orsupplementary services illary orSupplementary Use ofDigital ssion’s RulesandPoliciesAffectingthe ssion’s , MMDocket No. 98-203, FCC01-306, RulemakingintheMatterof Children’s nt on the publicinterestobligation on nt public comme econd PeriodicReview.However, NPRM(MMDocketNo.00- ng (NPRM)whichsought to , MMDocket No.00-167, FCC ) to disclose onaquarterly disclose ) to ry onPublic Committee l memberswantedto nt onpublic interest de educationaland 92 addressing DTV http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 for children. digital television multicasts toincrease educational and informational programming May 12,2005by Rockefeller,soug Senator mu interest requirementsfor sought Watson, toestablishminimumpublic on May 12,2005,by Representative the issueofpublicinterestobligations According toCommissionerMichaelCopps: on public interest obligations ofbr on publicinterest marketplace atwhichallfive communications ahearing onthe held andTransportation Science Commerce, obligations of DTVbroadcasters. educational programming pr 94 93 placing certainobligations onbroadcasters: provided onafreeorpay multicastchannel. programmingdigital directedatchildre limitations, the Order concludescommercial that commercial limitsapply toall programming offered by the broadcaste DOC-251972A1.pdf]. February 1,2007. Committee,Transportation Communicati “The FederalNewsService Inc., transcriptof Formore information see[http://hra Hearings held inthe 110 come forward with this repe comethis forwardwith free air time available topoliticalcandidates.And there’ve been thosewho have be requiring individual broadcasters to been alotofproposalsthathave been requirements onthetype ofprogramming that they’ve got to haveput on.There you know, I guess IWell, wouldsay I’m hesitanttoactually putspecific On theotherhand,FCC ChairmanKevi think, thatthecommission has. that. So,I absolutely shareyour senseof other things are lying fallow,sowerea broadcasters. Andwe’ve donethechildren’ had, since1999,pending aproceeding onthe public interest obligations ofDTV . Weought tocompletebegun.We’vehavealreadybeen theproceedingsthat you’re talking about? from them? Can’t they get more community that, butthebig questionis, what do the program streams inthecommunity.of Andwe’ve donewellonthemechanics the right tousethat spectrum to broad obligations aregoingDigital tobe.We’regoingthe Ageinto now. We’regiving [W]e have toreally get seriousaboutdetermining interest whatthosepublic Two billsintroducedintothe109 lticast digital television cha FCCCommissioners oportionallyvideo totheamountofincreasedfree th Congress havea atedly in the contextofdigitalatedlyin transition,saying 94

On February 1,2007,the Senate Committee on CRS-45 of DTV broadcasters. H.R. 2359, introduced 2359, ofDTVbroadcasters.H.R. oadcasters, twoopposing viewsemerged. th n 12 and under, whether the programmingis the n 12andunder,whether cast six — or, if you have aduopoly, 12— hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Science hearing oftheSenateCommerce, Congress — but notenacted—addressed — Congress put forth—forexample, thatweshould put free airtime —aspecificamount of lly needtoteethatupandget donewith American peoplehave aright toexpect urgency. nohigher There’s priority, I rmulticast on channels. Regarding ons Marketplace: A View from theFCC,” unfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/ 93 s programming outofthat,butallthe affairs, localaffairsandthethings ht torequirebroadcastersproviding n Martin expressed reservationson expressed n Martin ddressed the issue ddressed the testified. Inquestions response to nnels. S.616,introducedon of public interest http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 zoning issues, such problems donot seem tobe widespread at thistime.” are facing problems withtower availabilitythat “while some stations and/or local broadcasting facilities.In itsJanuary local zoning restrictions onthesitin NPRM (FCC 97-182)to an the FCC released must beconstructedbefore towers usedforanalog TVbroadcasting. convinced thatthat’snecessary.” going torequirenot minimumquantities I’m ofcertain kindsofbroadcasting. we’re whether is remaining that’s “one issue the that stated Martin Chairman FCC. progra children’s as (such proceeding that FCC ChairmanMartinmaintainedthat 2007, 14, oversight hearings held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee onMarch “Oversight oftheFederal Comm Telecommunications andtheInternet of [http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-resp.FCC.020707.Copps.pdf]. [http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-resp.FCC.020707.Adelstein.pdf] and at February 7, 2007. Available Internet, the and Telecommunications from theHouse Committee onEnergy andCommerce,Subcommittee on Television Review oftheCommission’s RulesandPolicie 99 98 97 96 95 transmission towers. opposition fromstateandlocalcommunitie Siting Tower forward proceedings. on obligation the interest DTV public Committee, bothCommissionersCoppsandAdelsteincalledontheFCC tomove FederalNewsService Inc., ofthe Subcommittee transcriptofhearing on Responses ofFCC Commissioners Jonathan Ibid. Formore information towersitin onDTV FCC ReportandOrder FurtherNoticeof broadcasters toprovide thatkind offreeairtime. I’m hesitantaboutsayingcandidates. And thatwe’regoing torequire we shouldmake digital television broadcastersprovide freeairtime to political One obstacle to the broadcasters’ abilityofferto DTV services has been the Similarly, inresponsetoquestions , MMDocket No.00-39, FCC01-24, p.37. 98 In mostcases, DTVantennas can be builtontopof existing the stations can transmit DTV signals. Intransmit can the stations August 1997, unications Commission,” March 14,2007. 97

18, 2001 Report and Order, 2001 Reportand 18, CRS-46 the House Energy andCommerce the Committee, g, placement,andconstructionofDTV mming) have already been addressed by the g, see[http:// If newtowersarerequired,however, they from the House EnergyHouse from the andCommerce Adelstein andMichaelCoppstoquestions Proposed RulemakingInthe Matterof Proposed considerthepreemptionofstateand s Affecting the Conversion to Digital to s AffectingtheConversion s over the building ofnewsignal over s many of therulesthatwerepart 95 www.fcc.gov/mb/ 96 However, attheFCC theFCC concluded policy/dtv/]. 99 http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 Television Digital EducationalgrantsTelevision Trust a Digital Opportunity Investment referred toCommittee onEnergy and Commerce. requirements formulticastdigital tele Act). Establishes minimumpublic interest(DTV-AGE Enhancement Act of2005 referred toCommittee onEnergy and Commerce. digital tunersintele requiring from to Committee onEnergy & Commerce. frequencies tobeope byoccupied televisionbroadcasters)for reassigning 24 Prohibits anyin delay digital. Introduced 22,2005; refe June broadcast transmissions afterreceive the public broadcast spectrum changes to disclosureretailers toconsumers toprovide that analog televisions willnolonger and toCommittee on Education and the Workforce. stations. Introduced May 19,2005;refe Commerce. television transition.IntroducedMay 2, to leadtheeffort Committee Advisory measures regarding the digital transiti manufacturers, retailers, a 109-355)andplacedonth (S.Rept. Senate CommitteeonCommer limitations. Introduced May 1,2006; passe certain flag with rule, broadcast statutory FCC its authoritythe proceedwith to form analogdigital and“downconverted” provide totheircustomersthei to operators transition, including mandating DTVcons Committee version contains a number ofprovisionsrelated tothe digital television measures. Introduced December16,2005; certainanalog conversiondevices Requires Appendix B.Legislationinthe109 H.R. 2512(Regula). H.R. 2359(Watson). H.R. 2354(Sensenbrenner). (Harmon).H.R. 1646 H.R. 4569 (Sensenbrenner). H.R. 4569 Green). H.R. 3032(Gene H.R.5264 (Engel). H.R. 5252(Barton). Related toDigitalTelevision rational by January 1, 2007.In Digital Opportunity Digital Investme Communications Act of 2006. Senate Commerce CommunicationsActof2006.Senate Digital TelevisionAccountability andGovernance Digital nd broadcasters impleme to Digital TelevisionConsumer HomelandEmergency Op ce, ScienceandTrans TVTruthActof2005. Digital TransitionContentSecurity Actof2005. TVConsumerChoiceAct.ProhibitstheFCC e Senate Legislativee Senate Calendar. vision receivers.Introduced May 12,2005; CRS-47 rred to Committee onEnergy andCommerce. MHZ intheupper700MHZ band(currently vision channels. Introducedchannels. May vision 12,2005; rred toCommitteeonEnergy andCommerce on. EstablishesaDTV TransitionFederal 2006; referredtoCommittee onEnergy and to noncommercialedu fund, partofwhich public safety purposes ats through Februarythrough ats 14,2014,andgiving r local broadcasters’ digitalboth signalsin referredtoCommitteeonJudiciary. d by House June 8, 2006. Reported by d by 8,2006.Reported HouseJune umer education,requiring large cable educatethepublicabout thedigital topreservedigital contentsecurity troduced April14,2005;referred portation, September29,2006 Requires manufacturersand nt TrustAct.Establishes EducationAct.Directs nt consumereducation erations ResponseAct. th would providePublic Congress , andrequiresthose cational television http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 House agreed to amended conference report, FebruaryHouse agreed toamendedconferencereport, 1, 2006. conference to agreed2005. Senate 19, November 3,2005.Houseagreed to conf inthepurch consumers program toassist deadlineofFebruary 17,2009,andallocatesupto$1.5billionfora transition Trans Digital the III is Committee onCommerce, Science and Transportation. in areas served by low-power televi Transportation. level. Introduced 20,2005;referre June toover-the-airhouseholdswith boxes —drawnfromspectrum auction proceeds Designates digital transition date VitalImprove EmergencyEnforcement to Services Act (SAVELIVES Act). Labor, andPensions. Introduced May 12,2005;refe stations. grants Television Digital Educational and Transportation.See limitations. Introduced May 1,2006;refe certain with rule, flag broadcast statutorygivingits FCC the authority proceedwith to in both digital and“downconverted” anal cable operators to provide totheir customers their local broadcasters’ digital signals television transition,including mandatingDT Deployment2006. Actof Contains a number of provisions related to the digital by President,February 8,2006. Amends the CommunicationsActof1934to Digital Opportunity Inves and Transportation. children. Introduced March 14, 2005; refe multicasts toincrease educational and informationaltelevision programming for and ControlActof2005.Requi Programming S. 1932(Gregg). S. 1600(Snowe). S. 1268(McCain). S. 2686(Stevens). S. 1023(Dodd). S. 616(Rockefeller). DeficitReductionOmnibus Digital Translator and Low Digital Opportunity Investme ition andPublicSafety Act Communications, Consumer’s Choice, andBroadband Communications,Consumer’sChoice, SpectrumAvailability for Emergency Response andLaw H.R. 5252 tment Trustfund,partof Indecent and Gratuitous and Excessively Violent and Indecent andGratuitous as December $468million 31, 2008,andauthorize forfurtheraction. sion. Introduced July CRS-48 report withamendments,December21,2005. incomes not 200%ofthepoverty exceeding d toCommitteeonCommerce, Science and erence report(H.Rept.109-362), December to noncommercialedu og formatsthrough February 14,2014,and rred toCommitteeonHealth,Education, rred toCommitteeon Commerce, Science rred to Committee on Commerce, Science, Commerce, rred toCommitteeon ase ofconverterbox — tosupply digital-to-analog converter V consumereducation,requiring large ensure fullaccesstodigital television res broadcastersproviding digital Power TelevisionTransitionAct. Reconciliation Act of 2005. Title Reconciliation Actof2005. of 2005, which sets a digital of 2005,whichsetsa which would provide Public which wouldprovide nt TrustAct.Establishesa 29,2005;referred to P.L. 109-171 es. PassedSenate, cational television signed http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 2007; referred toCommitteeonCommer and theFCC to provide90-da modifications inthedigital-to-analog c to awardgr FCC transition. Directsthe broadcasterstotakevarious measures and Requires Americans ontheDTVtransition. Transition Actof2007.Establis Committee onEnergy and Commerce. 90-day progress reportsto digital-to-analog converter public edu FCC toawardgrants forDTV to take various measurestoinformthepub transition. Requiresretailers, cable the DTV of 2007.Establishesaninte Energy andCommerce. transition todigital television.Intr taken by theFCC, NTIA, and otherfedera report a 2007. RequirestheFCC tosubmit 129) does notaddressDTV.Placed on Se education. SenateA consumer DTV 207, passedby 28, 2007, theHouseonJune w Appropriations Act, 2008. House Appr Appropriations Act,2008.House Energy andCommerce. subsidyset-top box program. Introdu more thanayear before the transitionto TV.Alsorequiresbroadcasters the using with anadvisory is set-top box thata analog all TVdisplays to signs place next to TV Requires anddistributors retailers 2007; referredtoCommitteeonEnergy andCommerce. measures toinform the pub retailers, cable and satelliteRequires operators, and broadcasters totake various to Congress every 90days ontheprogre months ontheprogresssix of consumer edu consumer Advisory Grouptocoordinate aDTVpublic create Requires theFCC to Appendix C.Legislationinthe110 S. 2125(Kohl). H.R. 3862(Wynn). H.R. 2917(Butterfield). H.R. 2829 (S H.R. 2566(Engel). H.R. 608(Barton). Related toDigitalTelevision errano). Preparing America’s Seniors for the Digital Television Preparing America’s Seniors Preparing America’s Seniors for the Digital Transition Act Transition forthe Digital Seniors America’s Preparing National Digital Televisi National Digital Digital TelevisionCons box program. RequirestheNTIAbox provide to andtheFCC Congress. Introduced October16,2007;referredto ragency federaltaskforce to licthe about dig y progress reportstoCongre Financial Services TransitionEducation hes aninteragency federal oduced June 28,2007;referredtoCommitteeon oduced June ppropriations Committee report (S.Rept. 110- (S.Rept. ppropriations Committeereport necessary afterFebruary 17,2009,tocontinue CRS-49 ced June 5,2007;referredtoCommitteeon June ced onverter box program. RequirestheNTIA program. onverter box inform thepublicaboutchange andthe opriations CommitteereportH.Rept.110- ants forDTVpubliceducation. Requires ce, Scienceand Transportation. ss of the converter box couponprogram. of theconverterbox ss outreach, andtoreportCongress every lic aboutthedigital transition. Directsthe to airPublicServiceAnnouncementsfor nate Legislative Ca to inform the public about the digital toinformthepublicabout the andsatellite cation. Requiresmodificationsinthe education program, toconveneaDTV cation efforts.RequiresNTIA toreport l agencies to inform the public of the of public the inform agencies to l ital transition. Introduced January 22, ould provide $2milliontotheFCC for retailers, cableand to Congress describing themeasures umer EducationActof2007. on ConsumerEducationAct. Accountability ReportActof educate olderAmericanson and GeneralGovernment operators, andbroadcasters ss. IntroducedOctober 2, taskforce toeducateolder th lendar, July 13,2007. Congress satellite operators, http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31260 referred toCommittee onCommerce, Science and Transportation. subject tocertainconditionsa 2014, border broadcast stationsalong theMexican S. 2507(Hutchison). DTV Border Fix Actof DTVBorder Fix nd limitations. Introduced December18,2007; CRS-50 to continueanalog broadcaststhrough 2007. Providesfortelevision