The FCC put into effect Aug. 23 rules requiring satellite providers in Alaska and Hawaii carry local broadcasters’ analog and digital signals.
The action is part of the commission’s continuing implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (SHVERA).
SHVERA requires that satellite providers must carry local analog signals by Dec. 8, 2005. The commission determined in its late August Report and Order that broadcasters must elect whether to assert must carry for their analog signals pursuant to this provision by Oct. 1, 2005.
SHVERA also requires that digital signals must be carried by June 8, 2007. The FCC action concluded 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 Report and Order also concluded that, once broadcasters’ digital signals are carried, carriage of their analog signals is no longer required.
The FCC also concluded that this provision applies only to Alaska and Hawaii and does not include territories and possessions, such as Puerto Rico and Guam.
For more information, visit www.fcc.gov.
