# Presentation: 016814

## NTIA Low-Power Television Digital Programs

Community  Broadcasters  Association
Las Vegas 

October 29, 2007  

**Community  Broadcasters  Association**
**Las Vegas **
**October 29, 2007****  **

## Overview

- Background
- B. Low-Power Conversion Program (§ 3008)
- C. Low-Power Upgrade Program (§ 3009)
- D. DTV Converter Coupon Program

## 

			 A.  Background

- 			 A.  Background

## DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005(Public Law 109-171 enacted 2/8/2006)
Title III - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 
Allows analog Low-Power TV broadcasts after the full-power TV February 17, 2009 digital transition deadline (§ 3002)
Creates two low-power digital transition programs (§§ 3008, 3009)

- Title III - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
- Allows analog Low-Power TV broadcasts after the full-power TV February 17, 2009 digital transition deadline (§ 3002)
- Creates two low-power digital transition programs (§§ 3008, 3009)

- Background

## Background 

- New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs
- The two programs have different objectives and eligibility requirements.
- NTIA urges each Low-Power TV licensee to review information about both programs when planning its station’s digital conversion.    _www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv_

## Background 

- NTIA Values Dialogue with Low-Power Broadcasters
- Presentations
- April 2007,  CBA Meeting (NAB), Las Vegas
- May 2007,   NTA Meeting, Denver
- October 2007,  CBA Fall Show. Las Vegas
- Meetings, Telephone calls, E-mails with interested parties
- Please stay in touch

## 
	   B.  Low-Power TV               		Conversion 				    Program   (§ 3008)

- 	   B.  Low-Power TV               		Conversion 				    Program   (§ 3008)

## Purpose of the Conversion Program

- “[E]ach eligible low-power television station may receive compensation toward the purchase of a digital-to analog conversion device...
- “that enables it to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power television station to analog format...
- “for transmission on the low-power television station’s analog channel.”   [§ 3008(a)].

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 			Eligible Stations  [§ 3008(c)]
- Low-power television broadcast station
- Class A television station
- Television translator station
- Television booster station
- [Note:  both commercial and noncommercial stations are eligible]

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 	***Broadcasting***** **exclusively in analog format
- 				[§ 3008(c)(1)]
- Must be *broadcasting* on date of application
- With FCC license, *or*
- Under FCC Program/Test Authority

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 	Broadcasting** *****exclusively*** in analog format 					[§ 3008(c)(1)]
- The following stations are not eligible:
- Stations broadcasting a digital signal on a companion channel.  (Such stations are not broadcasting *exclusively* in analog.)
- Stations that have flash cut are not broadcasting *exclusively *in analog.

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 	Stations holding a Construction Permit
- Program is intended to convert operating stations receiving an *analog* full-power TV station.
- Bare construction permits will not be eligible unless the station completes construction and begins broadcasting by November 29, 2007.
- Stations with construction permits should plan to receive their full-power *digital, *not* analog,* station.

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- A station CANNOT have purchased a Digital-to-analog conversion device (DACD) prior to enactment of the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005  (February 8, 2006)  [§ 3008(c)(2)]
- DACD is explained in Equipment Section.

## Summary:  Station Eligibility

- When an application for conversion funding
- is filed, a low-power station:
- Must be broadcasting with a FCC license or program/test authority.
- Must be broadcasting only a analog signal, not on a companion channel.
- Cannot have purchased a digital-to-analog conversion device before 2/8/2006.** **

## 		B2.  Equipment

- The program provides compensation toward the cost of purchasing a digital-to-analog conversion device (DACD):
- “...digital-to-analog conversion device that enables [the station] to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power television station to analog format...”  [§ 3008(a)]

## Equipment

- 	“...to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power station...”         [§ 3008(a)]
- Equipment must receive/convert the incoming off-air signal of a full-power digital station to analog.
- Equipment cannot be used by a station that receives an analog station in a “daisy chain.”
- Equipment cannot be used by a station that receives baseband video via satellite or microwave.

## Equipment

**Digital-analog Conversion Device (DACD)**
- Device to pick up digital full power station off-air so it can be converted to analog
- Device must auto reset to designated full power TV station virtual channel (*e.g*.        Ch. 26-3) in event of power failure
- DACD will replace existing Tuner/Receiver or existing Heterodyne Processor

## Equipment

- 			Other** **possible station** **expenses
- Off-air antenna (if full-power station changes from VHF channel to UHF)
- Installation (depending on local conditions)
- Heterodyne systems may require modulator (in addition to Tuner/Receiver); integrated Tuner/Receiver/Modulator may be available.

## Equipment

- NTIA Assistant Secretary
-  “...Shall determine the maximum amount of compensation such a low-power television station may receive based on the average cost of such digital-to-analog conversion devices...But in no case shall such compensation exceed $1,000”  (Conference Report on S. 1932, *Congressional Record*, 12/18/2005, p. H12692 )

## Equipment

- NTIA realizes that many installations vary in complexity and design.
- This program is only intended to support the acquisition of a DACD to convert the off-air signal of a full service digital television station.

## Priority Compensation

- Section 3008(a) requires that priority compensation be given when either:
- A license is held by a non-profit corporation;
- 	*OR*
- A station serves a rural area of fewer than 10,000 viewers.

## Priority Compensation

- 			Non profit ***corporations***
- Usually organized under IRS § 501(c)       [26 U.S.C. § 501(c) excluding § 501(c) (4)]
- Usually does not refer to governmental units unless the unit has a separate corporate charter

## Priority Compensation

- 			Stations that serve rural areas
- 			of fewer than 10,000 viewers
- NTIA will use the number of viewers in the station’s coverage area as calculated by the FCC’s 50/50 contour as the basis for Priority Compensation

##  Administrative Procedures

**	****	****	**Application Process
- 	1.	Prepare application electronically
-         _www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv_
- 	2.  	Print and sign application
- 	3.	Have bank officer sign ACH payment     	enrollment form (SF-3881)
- 	4.	Mail application and bank form

## Administrative Procedures

- All Applications must be signed by applicant
- SF-3881 (ACH) must be signed by bank official
- Application and (ACH) SF-3881 must be postmarked no later than February 17, 2009
- Electronic payments will be made to applicant’s bank.

## Administrative Procedures

- Applicant must comply with Department of Commerce Standard Terms and Conditions for grants, as applicable
- NTIA reserves the right to request documentation regarding any information supplied in a application

## Administrative Procedures

*Priority Period*  (three months)
- 10/29/2007-1/31/2008
- NTIA will only process applications that qualify for priority compensation.
*Open Period*   2/1/2008-2/17/2009
- NTIA will process all applications.

## 				Timetable

Purchase Converter after February 2006 
Receive reimbursement

Apply and receive Advance funds
6 months to purchase and install

- Purchase Converter after February 2006
- Receive reimbursement
- Apply and receive Advance funds
- 6 months to purchase and install

- Administrative Procedures

## Submit Applications to:

- 	**NTIA LPTV Conversion Program**
**	****	****Room 4812**
**U. S. Department of Commerce**
**	****	****1401 Constitution Ave, NW**
**     ****Washington, DC 20230**

## C. Section 3009
Low-Power TV
Upgrade Program

- Low-Power TV
- Upgrade Program

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

-   Optional information on DACD application form
- NTIA asks that stations supply additional information
- Applicants for Conversion Program
- Station that may not be interested or eligible for the Conversion Program
- Help NTIA plan for Upgrade Program
- Assess potential participation in Upgrade Program

## Low-Power TV Upgrade ProgramOverview

- $65 million authorized
- Reimbursement for equipment to upgrade low-power television stations from analog to digital

## Low-Power TV Upgrade ProgramOverview

- Stations located in Eligible Communities
- Station that is itself broadcasting exclusively in analog format
- Qualification for Priority Reimbursement

## Low-Power TV Upgrade ProgramEligible Stations

- Low-power television broadcast station
- Class A television station
- Television translator station
- Television booster station
- [Note:  both commercial and noncommercial stations are eligible]

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Eligible Rural Communities

- “Any area of the United States that is not contained in an incorporated city or town with a population in excess of 20,000 inhabitants”
- Section 610(b)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1937 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(2)
- Is this the FCC Community of license?
- Is this the station service (coverage) area?
- How to determine?   How to document?

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program$65 Million

- Question:  How to distribute $65 million?
-      –8,000 LPTV stations licensed by the FCC
- Alternative #1: If $65 million divided equally, average of @ $8,000 for each licensed station.
- Alternative #2:  First-come, first served?
- Priority reimbursement
- Alternative #3:   Competitive grants?
- What criteria?

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

- Transmission equipment
- Legislative intent appears to be to convert to digital transmission
- Production equipment
- Is there enough money for production equipment?

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Exclusively in analog

- “That is itself broadcasting exclusively in analog format.” §3009(b)(1)
- Does a station broadcasting on a digital companion channel meet this definition?

## Low-Power TV Upgrade ProgramPriority Reimbursement

- Priority reimbursement shall apply when:
**     ****–** “License is held by a non-profit corporation”
-      –“Stations that serve rural areas of fewer than 10,000 viewers.”   §3009(a)
- How to apply Priority?
- Special Priority period?  (for example, the Low-Power Conversion program has a
- 	3 month Priority period?)
- Other method?

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Timetable for Payment

- “The Assistant Secretary shall make payments not to exceed $65 million during fiscal  year 2009”  (beginning October 1, 2008)”“Such payments shall be issued to eligible stations no earlier than October 1, 2010.”
- §3009(a)

## Contact NTIA

- Lynn Chadwick 	(202) 482-8338
- 			_[lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov](mailto:lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov)_
- 	Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming
- Larry Dyer  		(202) 482-1762
- 			_[ldyer@ntia.doc.gov](mailto:ldyer@ntia.doc.gov)_
- 	All other states and territories

## Contact NTIA

_**lptv@ntia.doc.gov**_

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

**Coupons available beginning January 1, 2008**
**1-888-388-2009**
- _[www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon](http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon)_
**Digital Stream and LG Electronics announced certified boxes for coupon program. Others currently being tested.**
**Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Walmart have announced their intention to participate.**
- _[www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon](http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon)__**/retailer**_

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

**HOW CAN **
**LOW-POWER **
**BROADCASTERS HELP?**

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

- Raise awareness of the digital transition and the Coupon Program
- Educate every viewer about their choices
- _[www.ntia.doc.gov](http://www.ntia.doc.gov/)__/dtvcoupon_
- _[www.dtv.gov](http://www.dtv.gov/)_
- _[www.dtvtransition.org](http://www.dtvtransition.org/)_

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

- Consider ...
- Running news segments or special programs devoted to the digital transition and Coupon Program
- Talk about the transition and coupon program on your website and on-air
- Running NAB and other PSAs

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

- Promote a station task force to make your station part of the solution, not part of the problem!
- Partner with retailers in your markets to identify stations continuing analog broadcasts
- Work with community organizations to help the elderly, shut-ins and others with ordering coupons and converter installation

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

- Increase viewers’ trust in your stations – help them understand what’s happening and what they need to do!
- Increase viewers’ understanding that some Low-Power stations will remain broadcasting in analog

## DTV  CONVERTER  COUPON PROGRAM

**Anita Wallgren**
**NTIA Program Director**
**Tony Wilhelm****Consumer Education, Public Information**
**For more information**
**1-888-388-2009**
- _[www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon](http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon)_

**National Telecommunications and Information Administration**
** ****U.S. Department of Commerce**