NTIA Translator & Low-Power Television

Digital ProgramsNATIONAL TRANSLATOR ASSOCIATION

May 15 – 17, 2009

Background Approx. 7,000 low-power stations licensed

(analog, as of 2/07/08)– 4,235 Translators– 2,150 LPTV– 528 Class A

Stations can operate in analog after 6/12/09 FCC considering digital deadline FCC permits “flash cut” or “companion channels”

as path to digital upgrade

NTIA Translator & LPTV Digital Programs

Conversion Program (ends June 12, 2009)– Apply now for $1,000 grants for eligible stations

Upgrade Program – Funds to assist in the digital conversion of

eligible stations – July 13, 2009 1st Applications Due

(Priority Applications Only)

Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog

Conversion Program

P. L. 109-171Section 3008

(As Amended)

The Conversion Program

To eligible low-power stations…

- Currently broadcasting only in analog, and

- Re-broadcasting an off-air digital station.

The Conversion Program Provides grants of $1,000 for a digital-to-analog

conversion device

Filing deadline – June 12, 2009

Device must be purchased and installed within 6 months

Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program

P. L. 109-171Section 3009 (As Amended)

Overview

1. $44 million program2. Eligible low-power stations 3. Stations located in eligible communities4. Priority for some stations 5. Reimburse stations for eligible costs to upgrade

to digital broadcasting

Funds Available $44 million available for reimbursement to

existing analog low-power stations

$6,000 for equipment modifications

$20,000 for equipment replacement

Eligible Stations ELIGIBLE STATIONS.—For purposes of this

section, the term ‘‘eligible low-power television station’’ means a low-power television broadcast station, Class A television station, television translator station, or television booster station—

(1) that is itself broadcasting exclusively in analog format; and

(2) that has not converted from analog to digital operations prior to the date of enactment of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.

Eligible StationsAny LPTV, Class A, translator, or boosterstation that:

- held an analog television authorization or permit on February 8, 2006 and has operated in analog, and

- converted from analog to digital after February 8, 2006

Eligible Rural Communities“Eligible rural communities, as that term is defined in section 610(b)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1937 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(2)).”

“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.” 7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(2).

NTIA Calculated Population FCC 50-50 Protected Contour

– Population within this contour using Longley-Rice computations

NTIA Calculated Population Rural areas outside urban areas with more

than 20,000 population

The NTIA application provides preliminary population numbers for each station currently broadcasting in digital

FCC 50/50 Protected Contour

NTIA Calculated Population

FCC 50/50 Protected Contour

NTIA Calculated Population

NTIA Calculated Population

Priority ReimbursementPriority reimbursement for either of thesecriteria:

- licensee is a non-profit corporation

-the station serves a rural population of fewer than 10,000 viewers.

Priority ReimbursementLicensee must be a non-profit corporationand submit documents confirming status suchas:

- Articles of incorporation- IRS determination letters - State corporate registration- Similar documents that confirm non-profit

corporate status

APPLICATION SCORING Priority Applications:

– Non-Profit Corporation 10 points– Population less than 20,000 10 points– NTIA Calculated population less than 10,000 add additional 10 points

Maximum Priority points 30 points

APPLICATION SCORING Regular Applications:

– NTIA Calculated population less than 20,000 or no Urban areas 10 Points

– Degree of “Rurality” (from “Rurality” form) 6 – 9 points

Application ProceduresApplication for reimbursement will be

accepted:

- Beginning May 13, 2009

- Only applications from stations eligible for priority reimbursement accepted this first round

- Deadline for these applications July 13, 2009

Application Procedures- Subsequent application deadlines recur monthly

starting with September 1, 2009 - Applications from any eligible station due the first

business day of each month.

- Applications accepted each month as long as funds are available.

Application ProceduresTo receive any reimbursement

You must file an application for the Upgrade Program

Even if you registered, filed an application, or submitted optional information for the Digital-to-Analog Conversion Program.

Application Procedures

Applications forms available from the Upgradeprogram's website

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/lptvApplications must be prepared on-line.

Signed applications sent to NTIA with supportingdocumentation.

Application Procedures What you will need:

The FCC Facility ID number For each station for which you are requesting reimbursement.

FCC Authorizations For each station in the application, you will need copies of the most recent FCC authorizations for the Analog and Digital facilities

Paid Invoices For each station in the application, you will need copies of paid invoices for equipment you are requesting reimbursement

Reimbursement for Equipment “Equipment to upgrade low-power television

stations from analog to digital”

-Modify Existing NTSC to Digital-Replace NTSC with Digital

Eligible Equipment - Modify- Regenerator or Processor- Transmit Antenna (only for channel change)- Receive Antenna, line and pre-amp- Simple or Stringent mask filter (if required)- Engineering Services (re-tuning, set-up)- Surge Suppressor- Antenna installation- GPS Filter

Eligible Equipment - Replacement- Translator with modulator/processor,

simple mask and GPS filter - Translator Modulator/encoder/multiplexer

(can be substituted for a new translator)- Stringent mask filter (if required) - Transmit Antenna, Transmission line- Receive Antenna, line and pre-amp- Surge Suppressor- Antenna installation

Reimbursement for EquipmentMaximum Reimbursement

Modify Existing NTSC to Digital $6,000

Replace NTSC with Digital $20,000

QUESTIONS?

Contact NTIA for more information

www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv Lynn Chadwick Lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov

(202) 482-8338 Rocky Mountain & Great Plains States

- Colorado – Kansas – Montana – -Nebraska – - Nevada – North Dakota –

-South Dakota – Utah – Wyoming -

Contact NTIA for more information

www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv Larry Dyer Ldyer@ntia.doc.gov

(202) 482-1762 Pacific Coast States

-Alaska – California – Hawaii--Oregon – Washington-

Contact NTIA for more information

www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv Brian Gibbons Bgibbons@ntia.doc.gov

(202) 482-6094

-All other States and Territories-

Updates and Information

www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv

TV CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM

YOUR VIEWERS’ LAST CHANCELOW-POWER

BROADCASTERS CAN HELP!

TV CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM

The digital transition for full-power stations is a month away; June 12, 2009

Educate every viewer about their choices

www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon www.dtv.gov www.dtvtransition.org

TV CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM

Increase viewers’ understanding that some Low-Power stations will remain broadcasting in analog

Even if all stations in area are remaining analog, encourage viewers to apply for coupon and purchase a converter box. At some time all facilities will be digital.

Coupon program ends July 31, 2009.

TV CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM

(202) 482-2048www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon

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

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

THANK YOU