Low-power Television And Translator Digital-to-analog Conversion (11.554)
Program
11.554 Low-power Television And Translator Digital-to-analog Conversion
Federal Agency
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Authorization
Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C.309(j)(8)(E) as amended, Public Law 109-171 Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Title III - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety, February 8, 2006.
Program Number
11.554
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To convert the incoming digital signal of the eligible low-power station's corresponding full-power television station to analog format for transmission on the low-power television stations analog channel.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Provides compensation toward the cost of the purchase of a digital-to-Analog conversion device.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Low-Power television broadcast station, Class A television station, television translator station, or television booster station that is itself broadcasting exclusively in analog format and has not purchased a digital-to-analog conversion device prior to the enactment of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, February 8, 2006. Priority compensation shall be given to eligible low-power television stations in which the license is held by a non-profit corporation and eligible low-power television stations that serve rural areas of fewer than 10,000 viewers.
Beneficiary Eligibility
General public in area served by the eligible station.
Credentials/Documentation
All applicants must supply proof of eligibility. Applicants must certify proof of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license. Applicants must provide assurances required under Program Rules and Regulations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Program staff members are available to provide technical and other assistance in preparing application forms. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
The application forms as furnished by the Federal Agency/LPTV and approved by OMB must be used for this program. The Application Kit can be retrieved from the web-site at www.ntia.doc.gov/. By the deadline applicants must file a completed application form, required certifications and complete ACH payment form. Applications postmarked or received after the deadline are returned to applicants.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed for completeness and verified with FCC data. Payments are direct electronic transfers through the Automated Clearing House(ACH) system.
Deadlines
An eligible low-power television station may receive compensation from this program only if it submits a request for such compensation on or before February 17, 2009.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
ACH payments are generally within 90 days.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
Audits may be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award and Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions.
Records
Grant recipient must retain records for three years.
Program Accomplishments
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-5396-0-1-503.
Obligations
FY 06 est not available; FY 07 est $10,000,000; and FY 08 est $10,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Available from www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Mr. William Cooperman, Director, Broadcast Division, Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications/NTIA, Room 4812, Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230. Telephone: (202) 482-5802.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
None.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Priority compensation shall be given to eligible low-power television stations in which the license is held by a nonprofit corporation and eligible low-power television stations that serve rural areas of fewer than 10,000 viewers.
