DTV移行問題

【取材執筆メモ2009】

【デジタルテレビ移行問題】 †

＜LPTV問題＞ †

• LPTV Station?→Low Power TV（全米で約3000局）、http://www.lptvanswers.com/
• LPTVはCommunity Broadcastersが運営。その団体はCBA（Community Broadcasters Association）LPTVは0902以降もアナログ放送をつづける。コンバーターはアナログ波を受けず、彼らの電波は締め出される。CABはアナログ対応の
• Keepuson.com
• フルパワー局1,762局はデジタル放送を送信中。

  The CBA wants the government to require manufacturers to include analog pass-through in their boxes, saying that not to do so violates the Federal Communications Commission's all-channel receiver act. That was a 1962 law that required ""all television receivers shipped in interstate commerce, or imported into the United States, for sale or resale to the public be capable of receiving all channels allocated to television broadcasting.""

• 2008/03/04／議会はLPTVのデジタル化を急ぐ方向で対応を示す。

  Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today signed on as a cosponsor of S. 2607.（中略）Under current law, the Department of Commerce is directed to make payments for the low-power TV and translator upgrade program during fiscal year 2009. It is not mandated to disburse reimbursement payments until after October 2010, which is 20 months after the DTV Transition deadline of February 2009.（37276）

【統計データ】 †

2008/02/15／Nielsen: One in 10 U.S. households not prepared for DTV switch

One in 10 U.S. households would have no TV reception if the DTV changeover, set for Feb. 17, 2009, were to occur today, according to new Nielsen data. The data show that more than 13 million U.S. households have TV sets that only receive analog signals, while another 6 million have at least one TV set that will no longer function after the transition. Mediaweek (2/15) 37642

Study: 5.9 million TV households could have DTV reception problems Transmission gaps could cause nearly 6 million TV households with digital receivers to lose some TV signals after the February 2009, DTV transition, according to a new study from Centris. The problem may force some viewers, even those who purchased converter boxes, also to acquire outdoor antennas to maintain their reception, according to the study. The New York Times (2/11) 37184"

2008/01/07「More than half of American homes outfitted with DTVs」

More than 50% of U.S. households now own DTV sets, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. DTV sales in the U.S. are expected to reach 32 million units this year. Financial Times (subscription required) (1/6) 37179"

【DTV移行の告知問題】 †

NAB is going all out with its DTV educational initiatives, with new efforts to include running a speakers bureau for all 50 states; airing a series of TV spots; creating a 30-minute program on the transition、 said NAB President-CEO David K. Rehr. Multichannel News (2/13) 37551"

President George W. Bush's proposal to add $20 million to the DTV-education budget is ""far too little"" to successfully reach the entire nation, according to House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich. ""If we are truly concerned about the safety and security of our nation, we should not be attempting this transition on the cheap,"" Dingell said. Radio World (2/8) 2008/02/11”37203"

• CATVや衛星放送を見ている限り、DTV移行に関する告知広告は少ない。しかし、NAB（OTA-TV）は10億ドル以上の広告をボランティアで出していると述べている。この温度差は大きい。

John Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who had pressed for tough educational mandates.2008/03/04 The three options: 37257

Option 1:

,

A station must air one PSA and one crawl in each six-hour quarter of each day. The load increases to two PSAs and crawls per quarter day on April 1, 2008, and to three of each on Oct. 1, 2008.

The FCC defines its four quarter-days as 6:01 a.m. to noon. , 12:01 p.m. to 6 p.m., 6:01 p.m. to midnight, and 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The PSAs must be at least 15 seconds, include closed captions and, at a minimum, provide the following information:

What a viewer needs to do to continue watching the station, whether they are an OTA viewer or receive broadcast signals via their cable or satellite, and

Where appropriate, specific details about the station's transition: for example, shifts in service area, channel numbering changes, the addition of multicast and/or high-definition channels, timing.

“Stations are required to air PSAs or crawls at various times in any given day part, and we expressly require that at least one PSA and one crawl per day be run during primetime hours,” the FCC said.

, ,

Option 2:

,

A station must air an average of 16 PSAs and an average of 16 crawls, snipes or tickers per week between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.

Over the course of each calendar quarter, one-fourth of all PSAs and crawls, snipes or tickers must air between 6 p.m. and 11:35 p.m., Eastern and Pacific time, and between 5 p.m. and 10:35 p.m., Central and Mountain.

The PSAs must be at least 30 seconds in length. However, a station may choose to air two PSAs of no less than 15 seconds in length in place of a single PSA of at least 30 seconds in length.

As in Option 1, the Option 2 PSAs must also be closed captioned.

“Stations are free to use PSAs produced in-house or provided by outside sources such as NAB or the networks,” the FCC said.

Option 2 also requires stations to air at least one 30-minute informational program on the transition between 8 a.m. and 11:35 p.m. prior to Feb. 17, 2009.

Beginning on Nov. 10, 2008, all stations must air a 100-day countdown notion at least once a day. The notice, showing how many days are left until the analog cut-off, must appear between five and 15 seconds.

, ,

Option 3 (for noncommercial stations only):

A station must air 60 seconds per day of on-air consumer education, in variable timeslots, including at least 7.5 minutes per month between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Beginning May 1, 2008, this requirement doubles, and beginning Nov. 1, 2008, it increases again, to 180 seconds per day and 22.5 minutes per month.

PSAs must be closed-captioned.

Stations must also air a 30-minute informational program between 8 a.m. and 11:35 p.m. at least once prior to the analog cut-off.

The FCC order also imposes educational requirements on others involved in the DTV transition.

Cable and satellite operators must provide monthly notices about the DTV transition in their customer billing statements.

Manufacturers of TV sets and related devices must provide notice to consumers of the transition's impact on that equipment.

【議会、FCCの対応】 †

Martin Backing DTV Transition Trials/Multichannel News, 3/3/2008／37258

Martin tossed his support behind the idea in same-day letters he swapped with FCC Democrat Michael Copps, who has been pushing for small-market testing since late last year.

"I believe that you have presented some interesting ideas that I am in favor of pursuing, including switching a small number of test markets to all-digital service before Feb. 17, 2009," Martin's letter said.

the House Subcommittee

on Telecommunications and the Internet, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin discussed the steps the commission has taken in advancing the DTV transition, as well as broadcasters' progress toward the change. Martin also said the agency currently is evaluating NAB's ""safe-harbor"" proposal. 37573"

Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii

and Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the chairmen of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee, have sent a letter to President George W. Bush, requesting the creation of an interagency task force headed by the FCC to inform the public about the upcoming switch from analog to all-digital broadcasting. ""A coordinated federal effort to oversee the DTV transition is essential,"" Inouye and Dingell said. Broadcasting & Cable (2/12) 37450"

2008/02/06　「TVB chief opposes uniform DTV-education approach」

The NAB's ""well-researched, thorough and thoughtful"" DTV-education plan is much more likely to connect with viewers than a ""one-size-fits-all"" approach for all markets, according to Television Bureau of Advertising President Chris Rohrs. ""The probability of success in retaining the attention of viewers throughout the digital transition is high with a multifaceted approach that can be tailored to fit the unique circumstances of different markets and communities,"" Rohrs wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. Broadcasting & Cable (2/5)　37404"

2008/02/08　FCC's Martin says cable viewability ""critical"" to DTV transition

Speaking at a digital-TV event at a Washington, D.C., Best Buy store, FCC chairman Kevin J. Martin said the commission's viewability rules for cable operators were ""a critical component of the transition"" to all-digital broadcasts.37579"

2008/01/30「Will FCC approve DTV-education man2010-12-15

The FCC may soon approve a proposal to mandate the airing of PSAs to educate TV viewers about the February 2009 switch to all-digital broadcasting, according to this article. Networks and station owners have been opposing government-mandated DTV-education proposals and instead have offered to increase their voluntary commitments. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (1/30) 37389"

2008/01/25「Senate committee to hold hearing on DTV-shift readiness」

The Senate Commerce Committee on Feb. 14 will hold a hearing examining the state of readiness for the February 2009 switch to all-digital broadcasting. The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee already has set its own hearing on the status of the DTV transition for Feb. 13. Broadcasting & Cable (1/24)　37672"

2008/01/18　House subcommittee to hold hearing on DTV shift status

The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee on Feb. 13 will hold a hearing on the status of the DTV transition. ""This hearing will be a key opportunity to check in on the various aspects of the transition, which is so important for public safety, economic growth, innovation, consumer welfare, and the future of television itself,"" said Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the subcommittee. TVNEWSDAY (free registration) (1/17) 37629"

2008/01/02「FCC gives broadcasters more flexibility on DTV transition」

The FCC on Monday adopted new rules allowing some broadcast outlets to make a ""phased transition"" from analog to all-digital broadcasting and lessening or ending their analog service before the Feb. 17, 2009, cut-off date for the DTV shift. ""The rules we adopt in this item attempt to provide broadcasters the flexibility they need while at the same time ensuring that any disruption to over-the-air viewers is minimized to the fullest extent possible,"" FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said. The Washington Post/Reuters (1/1) 37097"

【クーポン/コンバータ問題】 †

the National Association of Broadcasters asked the NTIA to help get DTV-to-analog converter boxes into more grocery stores, particularly in rural areas far away from popular consumer-electronics chains -- Best Buy, Radio Shack -- or superstores like Wal-Mart.Lawmakers want NTIA to change policy on DTV coupons.The NTIA is overseeing the government program supplying $40 coupons toward the purchase of those converter boxes, which are available at more than 16,000 stores.David Rehr said he understood concerns about trained staff or possibilities for fraud, but he also suggested that good cause would be ""ensuring that stores in every community can provide their consumer with the ability to conveniently purchase equipment necessary to keep their television reception intact.37495

The NTIA should allow consumers to reapply for DTV converter-box coupons if they are unable to use the coupons before the 90-day expiration date, according to a letter from House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., along with Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, D-Mass., and 19 other lawmakers, to acting NTIA chief Meredith Baker. An NTIA spokesman said Baker would address the lawmakers' request at a scheduled hearing about the DTV transition.37452"

DTV converters now available at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores is now offering Magnavox DTV converter boxes at its 3,400 stores in the U.S.　37314"

2008/02/08　/NAB, government leaders give DTV transition a push at Best Buy store　37583"

2008/01/21　Requests for DTV converter-box coupons plateau

Requests for coupons for DTV converter boxes have dropped from 700,000 applications during the program's Jan. 1 debut to about 70,000 a day, according to NTIA. The agency has taken in about 1.78 million applications for more than 3.3 million coupons, with most users asking for the maximum of two $40 coupons per household. Broadcasting & Cable (1/18) 37185"

2008/01/09「Retailers: Supply of DTV converters may not meet demand」

Top executives from Best Buy and Circuit City, during a panel at the Consumer Electronics Show, expressed concerns over whether there would be enough DTV converters to meet the demand and if viewers who need them are sufficiently aware of the digital transition. ""The number of converter boxes that is going to be required could put tremendous pressure on us to solve all those problems"" in a short time, said Brad Anderson, vice chairman and CEO of Best Buy. BusinessWeek?/Associated Press (1/8) 37410"

2008/01/08「NTIA approves 250 retailers to sell DTV converters」

The NTIA has given the official go-ahead to 250 retailers, including QVC, Best Buy, Circuit City and Wal-Mart, to sell 19 approved DTV-to-analog converters, according to an announcement Monday. Broadcasting & Cable (1/7) 37286"

2008/01/03「NTIA flooded with requests for DTV converter-box coupons」

The NTIA received more than 500,000 applications for some 1 million DTV converter-box coupons in the first 40 hours of the program, according to spokesman Todd Sedmak. The $40 coupons will be mailed to applicants beginning Feb. 17. Broadcasting & Cable (1/2) 37322"

2008/01/02「DTV converter box coupons now available」

Consumers who rely on over-the-air broadcasts can now apply for two coupons worth $40 each to purchase analog-to-digital converter boxes that will be available at major electronics retail stores. Yahoo!/Associated Press (1/2) 37186"

【DTV＆ニュービジネス】 †

2008/02/05「Group: Broadcasters right to see great potential in mobile DTV」

The results of an NAB study showing the potential for mobile DTV to produce $2 billion in additional sales by 2012, provided an industry standard is adopted next year and immediately deployed, have been endorsed by the 800-member Open Mobile Video Coalition. ""The NAB study validates the belief among OMVC members that mobile digital television represents an enormous opportunity for broadcasters,"" said OMVC Chairman Brandon Burgess. TVNEWSDAY (free registration) (2/4) 37285"

2008/01/25「Rehr: Retailers should have DTV converters in stores by February」

NAB President-CEO David Rehr has sent letters to the heads of eight top retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City Stores, Target and Wal-Mart, requesting they have DTV converter boxes in their stores by February, when the NTIA begins processing applications for the $40 coupons toward the purchase of the devices.Broadcasting & Cable (1/24) 37644"

【CATV、衛星放送の対策】 †

Pay TV Providers Poised for DTV Payday (MARCH 07, 2008)

DTVに移行するとき地上波ユーザーが混乱を嫌って、衛星放送やケーブルに移行するだろう。 Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Inc.が予測する。

Table 1: Incremental Net Additions by Pay TV Providers as Result of DTV Transition (000s)

2008/03/05／Broadcasters Look to FCC for DTV-Carriage Help

Broadcasters told the FCC that it: 1) should not grant small cable operators a blanket exemption from the requirement that cable carry TV stations in analog and digital; 2) should not allow cable to decide how an HD signal should be converted to analog -- letterbox or trimming the edges; 3) extend channel-positioning requirements to DTV signals; and 4) that the rule prohibiting ""material degradation"" of the broadcast signal covers retransmission-consent, as well as must-carry stations.

2008/03/03／Small Cable Lobby Asks for DTV Exemption

Last November, the FCC voted in favor of new rules requiring that systems provide dual carriage or migrate their systems to an all-digital environment, so long as all customers have access to the equipment necessary (i.e., digital set-tops) to receive those signals. (See FCC OKs Dual TV Carriage Rules.) 　中略　The rules, good through 2012, give smaller operators (those with activated capacity of 552 MHz) some relief. Those cablers can request a hardship waiver on the dual-carriage requirement on an ad hoc basis. But cable's pressure groups believe the FCC has not done enough, arguing that smaller MSOs could find themselves in financial hot water just trying to comply with the rules.（37218）