Effective Dates for New Rules: Dec. 31, 2006 - Extension of EAS Rules to Digital Services, and Jan. 2, 2007 - New Children's TV Rules Become Effective
As 2006 hurtles to a close and 2007 looms on the horizon, two quick reminders about a couple of upcoming effective dates.
First and foremost, as of December 31, 2006, the Commission's Emergency Alert System ("EAS") rules will be extended to digital services. Specifically, as of December 31st, digital television, digital cable, digital radio (including LPFMs), and satellite digital radio, will be required to comply with Part 11 of the Commission's Rules, which require participation in all national EAS activation, and periodic testing of EAS equipment. More information regarding the EAS rules for digital services can be found in our earlier blog of November 21, below.
Second, the changes to the FCC's Children's Programming Rules, including the rules governing DTV multi-casting, become effective January 2, 2007. These new rules are summarized in our earlier entry of October 24, below, and in our recent Bulletin. Most notably, the rules affirmed the requirement that DTV stations broadcasting multiple streams of programming must increase the amount of kid vid programming in proportion to the amount of additional free video provided. Accordingly, DTV stations that are multi-casting programming on multiple streams should ensure that they have enough children's programming lined up by January 2nd to meet the new requirements.
