CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 25, 2008
TO: D. Mike Good, City Manager
FROM: Franklin L. Hileman, Manager of Intergovernmental Relations
SUBJECT: A Resolution Supporting The Federal Communication Commission-Mayors’ Digital Television Initiative CAD# 008/08
Purpose:
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has established the FCC-Mayors’ Digital Television Initiative as an outreach program to inform the public about the mandated switch form analog television broadcasting to digital broadcasting and is seeking to enlist the City’s help in educating the public about this issue.
Background:
At present, most television stations are transmitting programming on two channels, the analog channel, on which they have been operating for years, and a second, digital channel that they were assigned within the last several years. On February 17, 2009, TV stations must stop broadcasting in analog and must transmit only in digital. This statutory change will provide many public benefits, including making more spectrum available for communications by and among public safety officials, such as police, fire and emergency rescue workers. The transition to digital lessen the transmission on airwaves which can impact police and fire transmission frequencies. Digital operation will also allow each TV station to choose to offer multiple channels of programming, a practice known as multicasting, and to air programming in high definition, with superior picture and sound. What is now just channel 7 can become channels 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3 on the single channel.
This transition only applies to broadcast over the public airwaves. Cable companies are not required to convert to digital, although many companies are doing so. It has no impact on satellite transmissions either.
This transition will require consumers with older analog television sets (TVs without digital tuners) who receive free over-the-air television through either a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" (rather than by pay services, such as cable or satellite) to take action in order to continue to receive a television signal after the transition deadline. Consumers will generally have three options to prepare for the DTV transition:
1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box and connect one to each analog set. Congress has established a program to assist consumers in purchasing these converter boxes. Every household is entitled to two $40 coupons, each of which can be used to help purchase a converter box.
2. Buy a digital television (one that includes a digital tuner).
3. Subscribe to a paid TV service.
Discussion:
According to the materials provided by the FCC, the DTV transition may disproportionately affect certain segments of the population, particularly those who are more likely to have older, analog televisions and who rely exclusively upon free over-the-air television, rather than subscribing to cable, satellite, or some other paid television service. These groups include seniors, people with disabilities, non-English speaking individuals, and members of minority groups, people with low-incomes, and residents of rural and tribal areas.
The FCC has created a collaborative program with the Mayors to reach out to each of these potentially affected groups and is inviting mayors across the country to join with the FCC to inform the public, particularly members of the targeted groups, about the DTV transition. The FCC is asking the cities to consider engaging in any or all of the following local activities and staff is recommending the City do the following:
Add a link to the FCC’s dedicated DTV website, www.dtv.gov on the city website
Arrange for the display of DTV transition posters and the distribution of DTV fact
sheets at:
o city hall, parks and recreation, the Hepburn Center, and provide the materials to the schools and libraries;
o local businesses and other locations open to the public, staff is planning to work with the Chamber of Commerce to arrange for distribution in appropriate locations; and
o local public events, such as conventions, conferences, musical
performances, street fairs, and festivals.
An article has been drafted for the Hallandale Happenings and will be published following the City Commission’s approval of this project and once the materials have been received, the City will consider including in the water bill and other mailings that are sent to employees or the public.
Identify upcoming conferences, conventions and community events (including town hall meetings, in which the FCC may be able to participate), at which someone from the City can discuss the DTV transition. Staff will be working with the FCC staff to coordinate at least one informational meeting or add a presentation to an already scheduled forum
Reach out to other city consumer-oriented or grassroots organizations that may assist in these efforts, particularly those involved with the targeted groups noted above.
Promote a city recycling plan for discarded television sets to accommodate the anticipated increase in the number of such sets as a result of the DTV transition.
Encourage school principals to permit students to participate in a community service program to distribute DTV transition materials to the public.
On August 18, 2008, six months before the February’s transition deadline, the Commission will issue a press release announcing the FCC-Mayors’ Digital Television Initiative. The press release will recognize and thank each mayor and city that has agreed to participate in the program.
Recommendation:
The City Commission adopt the proposed Resolution in Support of the FCC-Mayors Digital Television Initiative and authorize the City Manager to direct staff to work with the FCC to establish a program for the distribution of materials and education of the residents on this issue.
Reviewed:
________________________
D. Mike Good, City Manager
_____Approved __________Denied ________Hold for Discussion
COMMENTS: