NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: January 15, 2009 Mary Diamond, 202-418-2388 Email: mary.diamond@fcc.gov FCC Adopts Analog Nightlight Program for Emergency and Digital Transition Information After the DTV Transition Analog viewers will be able to receive Emergency and DTV Transition Information via Analog Signal for 30 Days after February 17 Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced it has implemented the Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act (“Analog Nightlight Act” or “Act”). The Act, enacted on December 23, 2008, required the Commission to develop and implement a program by January 15, 2009, to encourage and permit continued analog TV service for 30 days after the February 17, 2009 DTV transition date to provide public safety information and DTV transition information for any viewers who do not have the necessary equipment to receive digital broadcasts by the transition deadline. This action is designed to aid consumers who are not able to receive digital signals after the DTV transition on February 17, 2009, to provide them with access to emergency information. This action is also intended to help consumers understand the steps they need to take in order to restore their television service. The FCC Order lists 826 stations that are eligible to broadcast emergency and transition information in analog after the statutory digital transition on February 17, 2009. Stations’ participation is voluntary, but the Order encourages stations to participate by adopting streamlined procedures and maximum flexibility for participating broadcasters. Specifically, the Report and Order takes the following actions: · Permits eligible full-power television stations to continue their analog broadcasting for up to 30 days after the February 17, 2009 transition date for the sole purpose of providing “Analog Nightlight service,” i.e., providing emergency and DTV transition consumer information; · Expands the list of stations “pre-approved” to provide analog nightlight service to include 826 eligible stations, covering 47 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and 202 of 210 DMAs; · Allows additional stations not “pre-approved” to demonstrate their eligibility to participate in the program; · Adopts streamlined procedures for pre-approved stations to notify the Commission of participation in the program; · Prohibits stations from providing analog nightlight service if they would cause harmful interference to DTV signals; · Grants a blanket license extension to broadcasters eligible to participate in the program; · Encourages stations that are not eligible to provide nightlight service on their own analog channels to participate in a joint effort with other stations in their community by contributing financial, technical, or other resources to support operation of another broadcaster’s analog station; · Permits analog nightlight stations to broadcast video and audio programming with emergency information, including a crawl or other text, or live or taped action regarding the emergency; · Permits analog nightlight stations to broadcast any information that is relevant to informing viewers about the DTV transition and how viewers can continue to obtain television service; and · Permits the provision of limited sponsorship information as part of analog nightlight programming to help stations defray the cost of providing critical nightlight service. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.