New DTV Legislation - Short Term Analog Flash & Emergency Readiness Act
Learning from an early analog signal cutoff test
in Wilmington, North Carolina, Congress has passed a bill
allowing broadcast stations to voluntarily keep their analog signals going for
30 days after the February 17, 2009 digital television transition date. These analog “nightlights” will provide emergency
alert information, along with bilingual information on how consumers can make
the digital transition. The bill, which
gives the FCC until January 15, 2009 for implementation, does exclude stations
currently operating on channels 14-20 and 52-69, as well as any channel that
might interfere with digital broadcast signals or public safety
communications. The bill was signed into law December 23. You
can read the full text of the legislation here.
