**DA 02-1860**

**Released: July 31, 2002**

**THE CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU REMINDS MANUFACTURERS AND
THE PUBLIC OF JULY 1, 2002, DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING DIGITAL TELEVISION
RECEIVERS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CLOSED CAPTIONING**

**CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION**

**RECEIVERS**

**ET Docket No. 99-254**

**CLOSED CAPTIONING AND VIDEO DESCRIPTION OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING,
IMPLEMENTATION OF**

**SECTION 305 OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996, VIDEO PROGRAMMING**

**ACCESSIBILITY**

**MM Docket No. 95-176**

In the *Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers*
*Report and Order*, the Commission adopted rules that require
manufacturers of digital television (DTV) receivers and DTV set-top
converters to include DTV closed captioning display functionality in
their DTV devices shipped in interstate commerce or manufactured in the
United States on or after July 1, 2002.[^1] These rules will ensure that
DTV is accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, in
accordance with the mandate of Congress as set forth in Section 305 of
the Telecommunications Act of 1996.[^2]

By this Public Notice, the Commission reminds the public and
manufacturers of DTV receivers and set-top converters that the July 1,
2002, deadline has passed, and that manufacturers must now ensure that
DTV receivers and set-top converters shipped in interstate commerce or
manufactured in the United States include DTV closed captioning
functionality.

After adopting rules for the transition to DTV, the Commission adopted
technical standards for the display of closed captioning on DTV
receivers.[^3] According to these standards, DTV receivers with the
picture screens in the 4:3 aspect ratio measuring at least 13 inches
diagonally, DTV receivers with picture screens in the 16:9 aspect ratio
measuring 7.8 inches or larger vertically, all DTV tuners, and all
converters used to display digital programming on analog receivers must
include closed captioning functionality.[^4] Additionally, caption
display options, once invoked, must be saved when the DTV receiver or
set-top converters is switched off, and become the default options until
de-selected by the viewer.[^5]

As a result of these requirements, DTV receivers and set-top converters
will be capable of displaying closed captioning, which the Commission
requires for video programming. The Commission first required video
programming producers to provide closed captioning on January 1,
1998.[^6] The Commission adopted an eight-year transition period for
programming produced after January 1, 1998 (new programming), requiring
that in the first quarter of 2006, 95% of all non-exempt new programming
be captioned.[^7] For programming produced before January 1, 1998
(pre-rule programming), the Commission established a ten-year transition
period, requiring that in the first quarter of 2008, 75% of all
non-exempt pre-rule programming be captioned.[^8] When the Commission
established these programming requirements, DTV and the transition from
analog television to DTV was being established.[^9] These programming
requirements apply to all non-exempt programming, whether displayed on
analog television or DTV.

The full texts of these documents are available for public inspection
and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12^th^ Street, SW, Room CY-A257,
Washington, DC, 20554. This *Public Notice* can also be downloaded in
Text and ASCII formats at: <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro>.

These documents may be purchased from the Commission\'s duplicating
contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12^th^ Street, SW,
Room CY-B402, Washington, DC, 20554, (202) 863-2893 (voice), (202)
863-2898 (fax), (202) 863-2897 (TTY), or via e-mail <qualexint@aol.com>.

This document is available to individuals with disabilities requiring
accessible formats (computer diskette, large print, audio recording and
Braille) by contacting Brian Millin, of the Consumer & Governmental
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-7426 (voice), (202) 418-7365 (TTY), or by
sending an e-mail to [bmillin@fcc.gov](mailto:access@fcc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PUBLIC NOTICE CONTACT: Consumer
& Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office: Dana Jackson
(202) 418-2247 (voice), (202) 418-7898 (TTY) or e-mail
<dljackso@fcc.gov>; or the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau,
Disability Rights Office (202) 418-2517 (voice) or (202) 418-0189 (TTY).

**- FCC -**

[^1]: *Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers;
    Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming,
    Implementation of Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
    Video Programming Accessibility*, ET Docket No. 99-254, MM Docket
    No. 95-176, *Report and Order*, FCC 00-259, 15 FCC Rcd 16788, 16790
    (2000).

[^2]: *See* Pub. L. 104-104, February 8, 1996, 110 Stat 56 (1996).

[^3]: *See* *Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television
    Receivers, Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video
    Programming, Implementing of Section 305 of the Telecommunications
    Act of 1996, Video Programming Accessibility*, ET Docket No. 99-254,
    MM Docket No. 95-176, *Report and Order*, FCC 00-259, 15 FCC Rcd
    16788 (2000).

[^4]: *See id.*, at 16795.

[^5]: *See id.*, at 16800.

[^6]: *See Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming,
    Implementing of Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
    Video Programming Accessibility (Closed Captioning)*, MM Docket No.
    95-176, *Report and Order*, FCC 97-279, 13 FCC Rcd 3272, 3286
    (1997).

[^7]: *See id.*, at 3293-94.

[^8]: *See id.*, at 3301.

[^9]: *See, e.g.*, *Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact Upon
    the Existing Television Broadcast* Service, MM Docket No. 87-268,
    *Fourth Report and Order*, 11 FCC Rcd 17,771 (1996).