Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act
Encyclopedia
The Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act, or SAFER Act, is a U.S. law
to require the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to allow the continuation of full-power analog TV transmissions in 2009 for 30 more days, for the purpose of broadcasting
public service announcement
s regarding the DTV transition in the United States
, and emergency information
. It is also commonly known as the "DTV nightlight bill" or "analog nightlight", referring to a small nightlight
that is left on after all of the other lights
are out. Despite the analog shutoff deadline being extended to June 12 2009 as part of the DTV Delay Act, stations that sign off before are still permitted to participate in the SAFER Act.
This allows for such broadcasts, in both English and Spanish, until July 12th, while normal programming ceased on June 12 2009. It was passed by both houses of the U.S. Congress, originating in the U.S. Senate as S. 3668, and approved by the U.S. House in mid-December 2008. Such broadcasts would not be required, and for stations which are going to flash-cut
on the same channel (either to their own digital broadcasts or another TV station's) this will be impossible. Only stations signing off early or in the "core spectrum" (channels 2 to 51) would be allowed to participate, so that channels 52 to 69 may be cleared. At least one station above 51, Fox
affiliate WPGH-TV
in Pittsburgh (channel 53
), signed off its analog signal on the original February deadline, thereby allowing it to participate in the SAFER Act.
It was signed by President
George W. Bush
on December 23, 2008 and the FCC was given until January 15 2009 to finalize the related rule
s and regulation
s. The initial FCC-generated list of eligible stations was published on December 29 2008. Other stations were encouraged to apply, especially in media market
s where no station is listed. Stations only require a special temporary authority (STA) from the FCC to be a part of the service.
Limited presence of advertising and sponsorship is permitted, insofar as it is needed to allow news broadcasts from the main digital station to be simulcast onto the nightlight channel during an emergency. Commercial activity is otherwise limited to mere identification of sponsors. An updated FCC list of eligible stations, released January 15 2009, identified twenty-eight stations nationwide which have expressed interest in conducting these broadcasts. The cost per-station to operate the transmitters for one month has been estimated at $3500 to $15000, depending on frequency and power level.
Low-power TV (LPTV) stations are not required to go digital, thus the bill does not affect them. Because of this exception, several stations through the nation, such as Washington, D.C.
's WJLA (ABC) and WDJT-TV
(CBS) in Milwaukee
took advantage of the loophole by moving network programming from their former analog full-power stations to purchased or leased LPTV stations in order to continue to provide some form of analog network programming and local news to their market area until such time digital adoption has been deemed sufficient by the stations. WJLA ended their extended service shortly after the nightlight period, while the special dispensation by CBS for WDJT to air the network on their station ended on December 31 2009, and it switched to carrying Me-TV programming.
In Chicago
after June 12 2009, a low-power analog station, not required to shut down after 30 days like other nightlight stations, aired newscasts that could not be seen by a number of people after the transition, while stations attempted to solve problems.
The FCC reported 121 stations providing nightlight service in 87 markets after the June 12 2009 transition.
All of the stations were supposed to be off the air by July 12 2009, and David Fiske of the FCC said no investigation was planned to make sure they all were. Fiske said someone would have to report a full-power station for violating the rule. One reason they would not continue: the cost of continuing to operate two transmitters.
While Nielsen said 1.7 million people still could not pick up a digital signal as of July 1 2009, former acting FCC chair Michael Copps said giving nighlight stations more time was not planned.
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
to require the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) to allow the continuation of full-power analog TV transmissions in 2009 for 30 more days, for the purpose of broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
public service announcement
Public service announcement
A public service announcement or public service ad is a type of advertisement featured on television, radio, print or other media...
s regarding the DTV transition in the United States
DTV transition in the United States
The DTV transition in the United States was the switchover from analog to exclusively digital broadcasting of free over-the-air television programming...
, and emergency information
Emergency Alert System
The Emergency Alert System is a national warning system in the United States put into place on January 1, 1997, when it superseded the Emergency Broadcast System , which itself had superseded the CONELRAD System...
. It is also commonly known as the "DTV nightlight bill" or "analog nightlight", referring to a small nightlight
Nightlight
A nightlight is a small light fixture, often electrical, placed for comfort or convenience in dark areas or areas that become dark at certain times, such as in an emergency...
that is left on after all of the other lights
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
are out. Despite the analog shutoff deadline being extended to June 12 2009 as part of the DTV Delay Act, stations that sign off before are still permitted to participate in the SAFER Act.
This allows for such broadcasts, in both English and Spanish, until July 12th, while normal programming ceased on June 12 2009. It was passed by both houses of the U.S. Congress, originating in the U.S. Senate as S. 3668, and approved by the U.S. House in mid-December 2008. Such broadcasts would not be required, and for stations which are going to flash-cut
Flash-cut
A flash-cut, also called flash-cutover, is an immediate change in a complex system, with no phase-in period.Some telephone area codes were split immediately, rather than being phased in with a permissive dialing period. An example is telephone area code 213, which was split into 213 and 714 all at...
on the same channel (either to their own digital broadcasts or another TV station's) this will be impossible. Only stations signing off early or in the "core spectrum" (channels 2 to 51) would be allowed to participate, so that channels 52 to 69 may be cleared. At least one station above 51, Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
affiliate WPGH-TV
WPGH-TV
WPGH-TV is the Fox-affiliated television station for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 43 from a transmitter at its studios on Ivory Avenue in the city's Summer Hill section. The station can also be seen on Verizon FiOS and Comcast channel 7...
in Pittsburgh (channel 53
Channel 53
Channel 53 refers to several television stations:...
), signed off its analog signal on the original February deadline, thereby allowing it to participate in the SAFER Act.
It was signed by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
on December 23, 2008 and the FCC was given until January 15 2009 to finalize the related rule
Rulemaking
In administrative law, rulemaking refers to the process that executive and independent agencies use to create, or promulgate, regulations. In general, legislatures first set broad policy mandates by passing statutes, then agencies create more detailed regulations through rulemaking.By bringing...
s and regulation
Regulation
Regulation is administrative legislation that constitutes or constrains rights and allocates responsibilities. It can be distinguished from primary legislation on the one hand and judge-made law on the other...
s. The initial FCC-generated list of eligible stations was published on December 29 2008. Other stations were encouraged to apply, especially in media market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
s where no station is listed. Stations only require a special temporary authority (STA) from the FCC to be a part of the service.
Limited presence of advertising and sponsorship is permitted, insofar as it is needed to allow news broadcasts from the main digital station to be simulcast onto the nightlight channel during an emergency. Commercial activity is otherwise limited to mere identification of sponsors. An updated FCC list of eligible stations, released January 15 2009, identified twenty-eight stations nationwide which have expressed interest in conducting these broadcasts. The cost per-station to operate the transmitters for one month has been estimated at $3500 to $15000, depending on frequency and power level.
Low-power TV (LPTV) stations are not required to go digital, thus the bill does not affect them. Because of this exception, several stations through the nation, such as Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
's WJLA (ABC) and WDJT-TV
WDJT-TV
WDJT-TV, channel 58, is the CBS-affiliated television station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin broadcasting on UHF digital channel 46, that displays WDJT's virtual channel as its former analog channel assignment of 58 via PSIP...
(CBS) in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
took advantage of the loophole by moving network programming from their former analog full-power stations to purchased or leased LPTV stations in order to continue to provide some form of analog network programming and local news to their market area until such time digital adoption has been deemed sufficient by the stations. WJLA ended their extended service shortly after the nightlight period, while the special dispensation by CBS for WDJT to air the network on their station ended on December 31 2009, and it switched to carrying Me-TV programming.
In Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
after June 12 2009, a low-power analog station, not required to shut down after 30 days like other nightlight stations, aired newscasts that could not be seen by a number of people after the transition, while stations attempted to solve problems.
The FCC reported 121 stations providing nightlight service in 87 markets after the June 12 2009 transition.
All of the stations were supposed to be off the air by July 12 2009, and David Fiske of the FCC said no investigation was planned to make sure they all were. Fiske said someone would have to report a full-power station for violating the rule. One reason they would not continue: the cost of continuing to operate two transmitters.
While Nielsen said 1.7 million people still could not pick up a digital signal as of July 1 2009, former acting FCC chair Michael Copps said giving nighlight stations more time was not planned.
External links
- National Association of Broadcasters: Digital Television Looping Nightlight Program on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....