*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 51151.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 For Immediate Release News Media Contact: August 23, 2005 Rebecca Fisher (202) 418- 2359 FCC Implements Satellite Carriage of HDTV and Multicast Programming in Alaska and Hawaii Washington, DC -- Continuing the implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (SHVERA), the FCC today released a Report and Order that implements the requirement that satellite providers in Alaska and Hawaii carry local broadcasters’ analog and digital signals. SHVERA requires that satellite providers must carry local analog signals by December 8, 2005. The Order determines that broadcasters must elect whether to assert must carry for their analog signals pursuant to this provision by October 1, 2005. Similarly, SHVERA requires that digital signals be carried by June 8, 2007. The Order concludes that satellite carriage of the digital signals includes high definition signals as well as multicasted signals. Broadcasters must make their carriage election for their digital signals by April 1, 2007. The Order also concludes that, once broadcasters’ digital signals are carried, carriage of their analog signals is no longer required. Finally, the Order concludes that this provision applies only to Alaska and Hawaii and does not include territories and possessions such as Puerto Rico and Guam. In December 2004, Congress passed the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act. The SHVERA amends a 1988 provision of the copyright law and the Communications Act to further aid the competitiveness of satellite carriers and expand program offerings for satellite subscribers. The FCC is required to undertake several proceedings to implement new rules, revise existing rules, and conduct studies within one year of the SHVERA’s passage. The adopted rulemaking is required to implement provisions in Section 210 of the SHVERA concerning satellite carriage of local stations in Alaska and Hawaii. Action by the Commission August 22, 2005, by Report and Order (FCC 05- 159). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps and Adelstein. Commissioner Abernathy concurring in part and dissenting in part. Docket 05- 181 -- FCC-- Media Bureau staff contacts: Steve Broeckaert (202- 418- 7200) Eloise Gore (202- 418- 7200) 1