Digital Television Transition

1
Digital Television Transition
CTPAA Conference May 3, 2005
2
Then and Now - Distribution
3
Then and Now - Equipment
4
Then and Now - Content
5
Content Protection-Broadcast Flag

• Adopted by FCC November 4, 2003
• Provides protection from mass redistribution of
  content over the Internet
• No restrictions on home copying
• No need for new equipment
• New TV sets must be flag-compliant by July 1,
  2005
• Interim FCC process for approval of technologies
• First wave of 13 technologies approved in August
  2004
• Divx application pending
• FCC Order on appeal in DC Circuit Oral argument
  held in Feb 2005

6
Remaining Challenges - Distribution

• Final DTV Table of Allotments
• Channel election process underway
• Current schedule NPRM in August 2006
• DTV Must-Carry
• Feb. 2005 Order re dual carriage and
  multicasting recons filed
• Remaining issues re program-related, material
  degradation, DBS carriage, etc.

7
Remaining Challenges - Equipment

• FCC ATSC Tuner Mandate Adopted Aug. 2002
• Mandate upheld by DC Circuit
• Include ATSC tuners in receivers on phased-in
  basis, beginning with set 36 and above.
• Phase-in schedule
• Sets 36 and above 50 by 7/1/04 100 by
  7/1/05
• Set 25-35 50 by 7/1/05 100 by 7/1/06
• Sets 13-25 100 by 7/1/07
• NPRM pending on revising deadlines for mid-sized
  sets
• Two-Way Digital Cable Ready
• Negotiations ongoing 60-day status reports/mtgs
  w/FCC reqd starting 8/05
• Cable Separate Security Requirement
• Deferred to July 1, 2007
• Report due by December 1, 2005 on downloadable
  security
• Periodic 90-day reports on CableCard roll-out
  starting 8/1/05

8
Remaining Challenges Consumer Education

• Need to educate consumers that there is a
  transition going on and how to prepare themselves
• 84 of consumers are familiar with the term
  High-Definition TV
• But how many know that analog broadcasting is
  ending? (In 2002, GAO found that 40 of consumers
  had never heard of DTV transition)
• FCC web site (www.dtv.gov), tip sheet
• Warning labels for analog sets?

9
The End of Analog

• Target date December 31, 2006
• But Congress specifies conditions for extensions
• e.g., the 85 test
• When transition is over, government will reclaim
  108 MHz for public safety and advanced wireless
  services (TV channels 52-69)
• Broadcasting will continue on core spectrum
  channels 2-51
• Congress examining setting hard date, possibly as
  early as end of 2006

10
Transition Impact on Viewers?

• Over-the-air viewers
• About 15 of TV HHs rely exclusively on
  over-the-air TV
• About 70 million TV sets not connected to cable
  or satellite
• What, if anything, should govt do?
• Cable subscribers
• How should DTV signals be carried?

11
Conclusion

• Transition moving from start-up phase to mass
  market phenomenon
• Remaining challenges being addressed
• Questions/further information
  rick.chessen_at_fcc.gov