Federal Communications Commission FCC 08-281
STATEMENT OF
COMMISIONER JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN
RE: Implementation of Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act; Establishment of DTV 
Transition “Analog Nightlight” Program, MB Docket No. 08-255
Today, the Commission takes the first step toward developing a systematized approach to deal 
with the post-DTV transition period.  An analog nightlight program for full-power stations to transmit 
DTV-related or emergency information after the transition date of February 17, 2009, is absolutely 
essential to help inform many over-the-air reliant households if they fail to transition before the deadline.  
I commend Senator Rockefeller, Congresswoman Capps, the leadership of the House and Senate 
committees that oversee us, and Congress as a whole for their quick action on this time-sensitive 
legislation.  I am pleased that the Commission and Media Bureau staff acted without delay to implement 
the Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act.
I have visited many American television markets and been impressed with the level of 
commitment and cooperation exhibited by broadcasters, cable and satellite operators, and business and 
community groups.  Throughout the country, broadcasters understand the stakes and are taking steps to 
provide assistance to their viewers.  I have talked about the analog nightlight program with broadcasters 
and many have expressed interest.  In certain markets, broadcasters have even talked about pooling 
resources to finance the costs of preserving the analog signal on one station post-transition.  This quick 
action by Congress, the President and the Commission provides them the opportunity. 
The stations that have been initially determined in this item to be eligible to implement this 
nightlight program are in only 136 of the 210 television markets throughout the nation. I strongly 
encourage stations in markets without such pre-approved stations to seriously consider participating in 
this program as a public service to your viewing community.  Each station participating in this “analog 
nightlight” program will effectively serve as “lifeline” to households that have delayed in transitioning.  
This will ensure that we leave no household uninformed after the transition.