Congress has mandated that after
February 17, 2009, full-power television broadcast stations must
transmit only in digital signals, and may no longer transmit analog
signals. On December 31, 2007, the Commission released a Report and
Order, In the Matter of the Third Periodic Review of the
Commissions Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital
Television, MB Docket No. 07-91, FCC 07-228. In the Report and
Order, the Commission adopted rules to ensure that, by the February
17, 2009 transition date, all full-power television broadcast
stations (1) cease analog broadcasting and (2) complete
construction of, and begin operations on, their final,
full-authorized post-transition (DTV) facility. The Commission
recognized that broadcasters may need regulatory flexibility in
order to achieve these goals. Accordingly, the Commission
authorized theDTV Transition-related filings contained in this
information collection, which must be made electronically via the
FCCs Consolidated Database System (CDBS), to permit broadcasters
to request and obtain regulatory flexibility from the Commission,
if necessary, to meet their DTV construction deadlines.
The DTV transition
affects virtually every segment of the television industry and
every American who watches television. Congress has mandated that
after February 17, 2009, full-power television broadcast stations
must transmit only digital signals and may no longer transmit
analog signals. The Commission has no discretion to waive or change
this statutory deadline. These information collection requirements
are critical to ensure that full-power television broadcast
stations meet their statutory responsibilities and can begin
operations on their final, post-transition (digital) channels by
their construction deadlines. Stations that are not ready to
commence digital operations upon expiration of the statutory
transition deadline may be forced to go dark, potentially resulting
in significant loss of television service to the American public
and significant harm to the broadcast TV industry and the U.S.
economy. In addition, the DTV transition will enable the recovery
of spectrum for critically important public safety needs and new
wireless services. Emergency OMB approval is necessary for these
collections to ensure that full power television stations are able
to (1) cease analog broadcasting, and (2) complete construction of,
and begin operations on, their final, DTV facility, by the February
17, 2009 transition deadline. Recognizing that broadcasters may
need regulatory flexibility in order to achieve these goals, the
Commission adopted rules to permit broadcasters to request and
obtain regulatory flexibility from the Commission, if necessary, to
meet their DTV construction deadlines. Stations that want to apply
for such opportunities for regulatory flexibility must comply with
the information collection requirements at issue here. Because any
delay can result in harm to television stations that need such
flexibility, and, in turn, to their viewers, we find that there is
good cause to expedite the effective date of these rules and obtain
emergency PRA approval from OMB for these collections.
On December 22, 2007, the
Commission adopted a Report and Order, In the Matter of the Third
Periodic Review of the Commissions Rules and Policies Affecting
the Conversion to Digital Television, MB Docket No. 07-91, FCC
07-228. This program change adds an additional 1,993 hours to the
total annual burden hours and an additional $2,972,890 to the
annual cost burden due to the transition to DTV. In addition, the
Commission is consolidating information collection OMB Control
Number 3060-0181 (47 CFR Section 73.1615 Operation during
Modification of Facilities) into this collection OMB Control Number
3060-0386 (47 CFR 73.1635, Special Temporary Authorizations (STAs))
which adds an adjustment of an 27 hours to the total annual burden
hours and also an added adjustment of $9,000 to the total annual
cost.
$569,616
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Evan Baranoff 202 418-7142
evan.baranoff@fcc.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Supporting Statement OMB 3060-0386 2008 (emergency).doc
Emergency Justification Letter for Viewer Notifications (040808).pdf
Section 73.1635, Special Temporary Authorizations (STAs)