PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 15-957 Released: August 25, 2015 MEDIA BUREAU REMINDS CLASS A TELEVISION STATIONS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 DIGITAL TRANSITION DATE By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau reminds Class A television stations of the upcoming September 1, 2015 digital transition date. In its LPTV DTV Second Report and Order, 1 the Commission established a September 1, 2015 deadline for Class A television stations to terminate analog operations and transition to digital. 2 Therefore, Class A television stations may no longer operate any facility in analog mode associated with their Class A license after 11:59 pm, local time, on September 1, 2015. 3 We remind Class A television stations that have not completed constructing their digital facilities that they must go silent while they complete construction. In addition, Class A television stations may limit or discontinue operation for a period of not more than 30 days without further authority from the Commission. If a station remains silent beyond 30 days, informal written request to remain silent must be made to the Commission no later than the 30th day for such additional time as may be deemed necessary. 4 In addition, stations that remain silent for 12 consecutive months risk losing their station authorization. 5 Class A television stations that require additional time to complete construction of their digital facilities beyond the September 1, 2015 transition date may submit a request for tolling. 6 Applications for extension of time are no longer accepted for Class A television station digital construction permits. 7 1 See Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television, Television Translator, and Television Booster Stations and to Amend Rules for Digital Class A Television Stations, MB Docket No. 03-185, Second Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 10732 (2011) (LPTV DTV Second Report and Order). 2 The September 1, 2015 transition date has been suspended for low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations pending resolution of the Commission’s rulemaking proceeding to consider establishment of a new digital transition date for these stations. See Suspension of September 1, 2015 Digital Transition Date for Low Power Television and TV Translator Stations, Public Notice, 30 FCC Rcd 3741 (MB 2015); Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television, Television Translator, and Television Booster Stations, MB Docket No. 03-185, Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd 12536 (2014). 3 See 47 C.F.R. § 74.731(l). Upon discontinuation of analog service, all Class A stations are required to forward their analog authorizations to the Commission for cancellation. The analog authorizations must be sent to the FCC, Attention: Video Division, Media Bureau. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.1750. 4 See 47 C.F.R. § 73.1740(a)(4). 5 See 47 U.S.C. § 312(g). 6 See 47 C.F.R. § 74.788(c) and § 73.3598(b). 7 Id. 2Stations seeking tolling of the September 1, 2015 digital deadline are urged to submit their requests as soon as possible. 8 Finally, we remind the Class A television stations that have not yet completed the transition that they are obligated to notify their viewers on-air of their forthcoming digital transition. 9 Stations may decide on the frequency and format of their viewer notifications, however, notification must be done on the air at a time when the highest number of viewers is watching. 10 For additional information or questions, please contact Shaun A. Maher of the Video Division, Media Bureau at (202) 418-2324, Shaun.Maher@fcc.gov. -- FCC -- 8 Tolling requests may be submitted in writing with the Secretary’s office or electronically through the Licensing and Management System (LMS), https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/login.html. To expedite the processing of these requests, stations should also email a copy to Shaun Maher of the Video Division, Media Bureau at Shaun.Maher@fcc.gov. 9 LPTV DTV Second Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 10756, para. 49. 10 Id.