For Television Broadcasters Electing Option 2 On Their FCC Form 388, Mandatory DTV 100-Day Countdown Announcement Must Commence On November 10, 2008.
As previously reported, on March 3, the FCC released a Report and Order outlining the requirements for the education of consumers regarding the February 17, 2009 transition to digital television service. Full-power television broadcasters were instructed to choose between one of three methods, defined as “Options 1, 2, or 3,”  for disseminating such information.
All commercial and noncommercial digital television broadcast station licensees and permittees that elected Option 2 must commence the 100-day Countdown announcements mandated in the March Report and Order  on Monday, November 10, 2008.

November 3, 2008-- As previously reported, on March 3, the FCC released a Report and Order outlining the requirements for the education of consumers regarding the February 17, 2009 transition to digital television service. Full-power television broadcasters were instructed to choose between one of three methods, defined as “Options 1, 2, or 3,”  for disseminating such information.
All commercial and noncommercial digital television broadcast station licensees and permittees that elected Option 2 must commence the 100-day Countdown announcements mandated in the March Report and Order  on Monday, November 10, 2008.
Beginning on November 10, 2008, all Option 2 stations must begin a 100-Day Countdown to the DTV transition.

During this period, each station must air at least one of the following per day:

• Graphic Display - A graphic super-imposed during programming content that reminds viewers graphically that there are “___ number of days” until the DTV transition. The numeric value in the graphic must decrease on each consecutive day. Viewers are to be visually instructed to call a toll-free number and/or visit a Website for details. The length of the announcements will vary from 5 to 15 seconds, at the discretion of the station.

• Animated Graphic - A moving or animated graphic that ends up as a countdown reminder. It must remind viewers that there are “x number of days” until the fullpower transition. Viewers are to be visually instructed to call a toll-free number and/or visit a Website for details. The length of the announcements will vary from 5 to 15 seconds, at the discretion of the station.

• Graphic and Audio Display - Option A or Option B, discussed immediately above, with an added audio component.  The length of the announcements will vary from 5 to 15 seconds, at the discretion of the station.

• Longer Form Reminders - Stations can choose from a variety of longer form options to communicate the countdown message. Examples might include airing an “Ask the Expert” segment where viewers can call in to a phone bank and ask knowledgeable people their questions about the transition, or including during newscasts DTV “experts” who are asked questions by the anchor or reporter about the impending February 17, 2009 deadline. The length of these segments will vary from 2 to 5 minutes, at the discretion of the station.  

When filing their last two DTV Consumer Education Quarterly Activity Reports on FCC Form 388, Option 2 stations will be required to identify the specific types and quantities of countdown announcements that aired over the course of that quarter. 

The NAB, through its DTVANSWERS.com website, is offering a series of fully produced spots, animated graphics, and a 30-minute educational program (in English).  NAB will offer a satellite feed distribution of those productions on November 5. 

The website information is http://naob-advocacy.informz.net/naob-advocacy/archives/archive_172142.html. 

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