The FCC is reminding broadcasters and cable and satellite operators of new requirements for English and Spanish language nonexempt programming that went into effect on Jan. 1.
From now until the end of 2005, video programming distributors offering new nonexempt English language programming are required to provide at least 1,350 hours of captioned programming or all of its new nonexempt video programming, whichever is less. Programming will be measured on a per channel, per calendar quarter basis. The commission defines new nonexempt English language programming as new analog programming produced or shown on or after Jan. 1, 1998 and digital new video programming as video produced or formatted for digital televisions that was produced or shown on or after July 1, 2002.
Also according to that same rule, 30 percent of pre-rule analog nonexempt English video programming (defined as video programming produced or shown before Jan. 1, 1998) and pre-rule digital nonexempt English video programming (video programming produced or shown before July 1, 2002) must be captioned as of Jan. 1, 2003.
From Jan. 1, 2004 to the end of 2006, the commission doubled the amount of hours that new nonexempt Spanish language programming must be captioned to 900 per channel per quarter. All new nonexempt Spanish language programming must be captioned by Jan. 1, 2010. For pre-rule nonexempt Spanish language programming, 30 percent of it must be captioned by Jan. 1, 2005.
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