Digital television (DTV) is a new television service representing the most significant development in television technology since the advent of color television. DTV can provide movie theater quality pictures and sound, a wider screen, better color rendition, multiple video programming or a single program of high definition television (HDTV), and other new services currently being developed. Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ( P.L. 104 - 104 ) provided that initial eligibility for any DTV licenses issued by the FCC should be limited to existing broadcasters. Because DTV signals cannot be received through the existing analog television broadcasting system (known as NTSC) the FCC decided to phase in DTV over a period of years, so that consumers would not have to immediately purchase new digital television sets or converters. Thus, broadcasters were given 6 MHZ of new spectrum for digital signals, while retaining their existing 6 MHZ for analog transmission so that they can simultaneously transmit NTSC and DTV signals to their broadcasting market areas. The FCC set a target date of 2006 for broadcasters to cease broadcasting the analog signal and return their existing analog television spectrum licenses to be auctioned for other commercial purposes. During the 105 th Congress, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 ( P.L. However, the act required the FCC to grant extensions for reclaiming the analog television licenses in the year 2006 from stations in television markets where any one of the following three conditions exist:
if one or more of the television stations affiliated with the four national networks are not broadcasting a digital television signal; if digital-to-analog converter technology is not generally available in the market of the licensee; or if at least 15% of the television households in the market served by the station do not subscribe to a digital "multi-channel video programming distributor" (including cable or satellite services) and do not have digital TV sets or converters. Status of the DTV Buildout

The nationwide buildout of digital television is a complex and multifaceted enterprise. A successful buildout requires: the development by content providers of compelling digital programming; the delivery of digital signals to consumers by broadcast television stations, as well as cable and satellite television systems; and the widespread purchase and adoption by consumers of digital television equipment. A key issue in the debate was addressing the millions of American over-the-air households whose existing analog televisions will require converter boxes in order to receive digital signals when the analog signal is turned off. This Fund will be used by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce to establish a digital-to-analog converter box program. P.L. 109 - 171 ). Specifically, Congress is actively overseeing the activities of federal agencies responsible for the digital transition—principally the FCC and the NTIA—while assessing whether additional federal efforts (including enhanced coordination and leadership) are necessary, particularly with respect to public education and outreach. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 ( P.L. 109 - 171 ; H.Rept. Title III is the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, which sets a digital transition deadline of February 17, 2009, and allocates up to $1.5 billion for a program to assist consumers in the purchase of converter boxes.
Digital television (DTV) is a new television service representing the most significant development in television technology since the advent of color television. DTV can provide movie theater quality pictures and sound, a wider screen, better color rendition, multiple video programming or a single program of high definition television (HDTV), and other new services currently being developed. The nationwide deployment of digital television is a complex and multifaceted enterprise. A successful deployment requires the development by content providers of compelling digital programming; the delivery of digital signals to consumers by broadcast television stations, as well as cable and satellite television systems; and the widespread purchase and adoption by consumers of digital television equipment.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104) provided that initial eligibility for any DTV licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should be limited to existing broadcasters. Because DTV signals cannot be received through the existing analog television broadcasting system, the FCC decided to phase in DTV over a period of years, so that consumers would not have to immediately purchase new digital television sets or converters. Thus, broadcasters were given new spectrum for digital signals, while retaining their existing spectrum for analog transmission so that they can simultaneously transmit analog and digital signals to their broadcasting market areas.
Congress and the FCC set a target date of December 31, 2006, for broadcasters to cease broadcasting their analog signals and return their existing analog television spectrum to be auctioned for commercial services (such as broadband) or used for public safety communications. However, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33) allowed a station to delay the return of its analog spectrum if 15% or more of the television households in its market did not subscribe to a multi-channel digital service and did not have digital television sets or converters. Given the slower-than-expected pace at which digital televisions have been introduced into American homes, and given the impetus to reclaim analog spectrum for commercial uses and public safety, the 109th Congress enacted the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171), which established a "date certain" digital transition deadline of February 17, 2009.
A key issue in the Congressional debate over the digital transition continues to be addressing the millions of American over-the-air households whose existing analog televisions will require converter boxes in order to receive digital signals when the analog signal is turned off. P.L. 109-171 established a digital-to-analog converter box program—administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce—that will partially subsidize consumer purchases of converter boxes. Specifically, Congress is actively overseeing the activities of federal agencies responsible for the digital transition—the FCC and the NTIA—while assessing whether additional federal efforts are necessary, particularly with respect to public education and outreach.
This report will be updated as events warrant.