DTV Alert: Action Items for April 14

posted on 4.13.2009

New 30-Minute DTV Education Program RE-FEED

On Tuesday, April 14, at 12:45 p.m. (EDT), NAB will redistribute a new 30-minute educational digital television (DTV) program (including a Spanish version) via satellite for stations that have not yet terminated analog transmissions.

This program, "Countdown to DTV: Are You Ready?" will review all the steps that antenna TV viewers must take in order to upgrade to digital, as well as tackle important topics like:

• Coupon program update
• Hooking up a converter box
• Antennas
• Rescanning

To comply with FCC requirements, stations under Option 2 (NAB Plan) must, after April 1, 2009, and before the station terminates analog, air at least one 30-minute informational program between 8 a.m. and 11:35 p.m.

The video must contain certain local information and for stations affected, service loss information.

Every station must add information to this program concerning the date and approximate time of day when all full-power stations in the market are terminating analog service. At the end of the first segment, there is a marked break for stations to insert this information.

Every station with predicted service loss greater than two percent must add service loss information to this program consistent with information contained in the station's daily required airing of loss of service notices. Following the run of the entire program, there is an additional closing segment that applies only to these affected stations. This alternate ending includes an insert to include service loss information.

More information on the requirements

The program runs approximately 22:30 and includes three commercial breaks. (When including mandated FCC information, the program will run longer.)

The program is only available in standard definition, formatted in 4:3.

** Please note different satellite space for analog than previous April 10 feed. **

Test Period: 12:45-13:00 EDT
Spanish Version: 13:00-13:30 EDT
English Version: 13:30-14:00 EDT

Analog Feed:
Date: April 14, 2009
Time: 12:45-13:30 EDT (Replay at 13:30 EDT)
Satellite: Galaxy 3 (C-Band)
Transponder: 21C
Location: 95.05 degrees West
Uplink Frequency: 6345 V
Downlink Frequency: 4120 H
Polarity: Horizontal
Audio: 6.2/6.8 - Stereo Full-Mix

Digital Feed:
Date: April 14, 2009
Time: 12:45-13:30 EDT (Replay at 13:30 EDT)
Satellite: Galaxy 28 (KU-Band)
Transponder: 17K, Slot A
Bandwidth: 9 MHz
Location: 89 degrees West
Uplink Frequency: 14347.1267 H
Downlink Frequency: 12047.1267 V
Polarity: Vertical
Symbol Rate: 6.1113
FEC: 3/4

For any technical problems during the feed, contact the Crawford TOC at (678) 421-6604.

The program is closed captioned, however, stations are responsible for captioning their own inserted portions.

Ordering Tapes/DVDs of Spots and 30-Minute Program

NAB is unable to fulfill requests for tape and/or DVD copies of the latest spots and new 30-minute program.

Tape dubs can be ordered through our authorized provider, Video Labs. The cost is around $40-50 per tape, plus shipping.

Contact:
Anna Greene
Video Labs
(301) 217-0000

If Anna Greene is unavailable, you can also ask for Valerie Yoscak or Mary Price.

Downloads

Scripts for the 30-minute program

All details on satellite feeds

Links to download all spots, along with scripts

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