PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 16-982
August 26, 2016
Notice of Effective Date for Television Closed Captioning Rules Governing the Responsibilities of 
Video Programming Distributors and Video Programmers
CG Docket No. 05-231
On February 19, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released 
the Closed Captioning Responsibilities Order, which allocates the responsibilities of video programming 
distributors (VPDs) and video programmers with respect to the provision and quality of closed captions 
on television programming.1 The Commission ordered that the amendments to its rules shall be effective 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register unless otherwise noted.2 The rule amendments were 
published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2016.  Those rule amendments not specified in the 
following paragraph will become effective on September 22, 2016.3  
The rule amendments contained in sections 79.1(g)(1) through (9), (i)(1) through (3), (j)(1) and 
(4), (k)(1)(iv), and (m),4 which are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), shall be 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register of a notice announcing the approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget of the modified information collection requirements under the PRA and an 
effective date of the rule amendment.5  
For further information regarding this proceeding, contact Eliot Greenwald, Disability Rights 
Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-2235; Eliot.Greenwald@fcc.gov.  
People with Disabilities:  To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities 
(Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the 
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), (844) 432-2275 (videophone), or 
202-418-0432 (TTY).
- FCC -
  
1 Closed Captioning of Video Programming, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc., Petition for 
Rulemaking, Second Report and Order, 31 FCC Rcd 1469 (2016) (Closed Captioning Responsibilities Order).
2 Closed Captioning Responsibilities Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 1514, para. 91.
3 FCC, 47 CFR Part 79, Closed Captioning of Video Programming; Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of 
Hearing, Inc., Petition for Rulemaking, Final Rule, 81 Fed. Reg. 57473 (Aug. 23, 2016).  
4 47 CFR §§ 79.1(g)(1) – (9), (i)(1) – (3), (j)(1) and (4), (k)(1)(iv), and (m).
5 Closed Captioning Responsibilities Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 1515, para. 92.