*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 20224.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 02- 1860 Released: July 31, 2002 THE CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU REMINDS MANUFACTURERS AND THE PUBLIC OF JULY 1, 2002, DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING DIGITAL TELEVISION RECEIVERS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CLOSED CAPTIONING CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION RECEIVERS ET Docket No. 99- 254 CLOSED CAPTIONING AND VIDEO DESCRIPTION OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING, IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 305 OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996, VIDEO PROGRAMMING ACCESSIBILITY MM Docket No. 95- 176 In the Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers Report and Order, the Commission adopted rules that require manufacturers of digital television (DTV) receivers and DTV set-top converters to include DTV closed captioning display functionality in their DTV devices shipped in interstate commerce or manufactured in the United States on or after July 1, 2002. 1 These rules will ensure that DTV is accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, in accordance with the mandate of Congress as set forth in Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. 2 By this Public Notice, the Commission reminds the public and manufacturers of DTV receivers and set-top converters that the July 1, 2002, deadline has passed, and that manufacturers must now ensure that DTV receivers and set- top converters shipped in interstate commerce or manufactured in the United States include DTV closed captioning functionality. After adopting rules for the transition to DTV, the Commission adopted technical standards for the display of closed captioning on DTV receivers. 3 According to these standards, DTV receivers with the 1 Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers; Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming, Implementation of Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Video Programming Accessibility, ET Docket No. 99- 254, MM Docket No. 95- 176, Report and Order, FCC 00- 259, 15 FCC Rcd 16788, 16790 (2000). 2 See Pub. L. 104- 104, February 8, 1996, 110 Stat 56 (1996). 3 See Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers, Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming, Implementing of Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Video Programming 1 2 picture screens in the 4: 3 aspect ratio measuring at least 13 inches diagonally, DTV receivers with picture screens in the 16: 9 aspect ratio measuring 7.8 inches or larger vertically, all DTV tuners, and all converters used to display digital programming on analog receivers must include closed captioning functionality. 4 Additionally, caption display options, once invoked, must be saved when the DTV receiver or set- top converters is switched off, and become the default options until de- selected by the viewer. 5 As a result of these requirements, DTV receivers and set- top converters will be capable of displaying closed captioning, which the Commission requires for video programming. The Commission first required video programming producers to provide closed captioning on January 1, 1998. 6 The Commission adopted an eight- year transition period for programming produced after January 1, 1998 (new programming), requiring that in the first quarter of 2006, 95% of all non- exempt new programming be captioned. 7 For programming produced before January 1, 1998 (pre- rule programming), the Commission established a ten- year transition period, requiring that in the first quarter of 2008, 75% of all non- exempt pre- rule programming be captioned. 8 When the Commission established these programming requirements, DTV and the transition from analog television to DTV was being established. 9 These programming requirements apply to all non- exempt programming, whether displayed on analog television or DTV. The full texts of these documents are available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- A257, Washington, DC, 20554. This Public Notice can also be downloaded in Text and ASCII formats at: http:// www. fcc. gov/ cgb/ dro. These documents may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, DC, 20554, (202) 863- 2893 (voice), (202) 863- 2898 (fax), (202) 863- 2897 (TTY), or via e- mail qualexint@ aol. com. This document is available to individuals with disabilities requiring accessible formats (computer diskette, large print, audio recording and Braille) by contacting Brian Millin, of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418- 7426 (voice), (202) 418- 7365 (TTY), or by sending an e- mail to bmillin@ fcc. gov. Accessibility, ET Docket No. 99- 254, MM Docket No. 95- 176, Report and Order, FCC 00- 259, 15 FCC Rcd 16788 (2000). 4 See id., at 16795. 5 See id., at 16800. 6 See Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming, Implementing of Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Video Programming Accessibility (Closed Captioning), MM Docket No. 95- 176, Report and Order, FCC 97- 279, 13 FCC Rcd 3272, 3286 (1997). 7 See id., at 3293- 94. 8 See id., at 3301. 9 See, e. g., Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact Upon the Existing Television Broadcast Service, MM Docket No. 87- 268, Fourth Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd 17, 771 (1996). 2 3 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PUBLIC NOTICE CONTACT: Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office: Dana Jackson (202) 418- 2247 (voice), (202) 418- 7898 (TTY) or e- mail dljackso@ fcc. gov; or the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office (202) 418- 2517 (voice) or (202) 418- 0189 (TTY). - FCC - 3