FCC Implements Emergency Information Accessibility Mandates
April 19, 2013 On April 9, 2013, the FCC released an Order that requires video programming distributors (“VPDs”), including multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), to pass through an audio translation of on-screen emergency information text crawls on a secondary audio stream. These rules will become effective two years after publication of the Order in the Federal Register.
FCC Releases Small Entity Compliance Guide for Basic Tier Encryption
April 19, 2013 This week, the FCC released a Compliance Guide intended to help small entities comply with the FCC’s basic tier encryption rules. Under the FCC’s amended rules – which became effective December 10, 2012 – all-digital cable systems may voluntarily encrypt the basic service tier so long as they meet certain customer service protection measures.
FCC Cites Hotel for Signal Leakage and Aeronautical Frequency Violations
April 19, 2013 The FCC Enforcement Bureau’s New Orleans Office recently cited the Airport Inn & Suites, located in Kenner, LA, for failing to notify the FCC of its non-cable MVPD system’s operation in the aeronautical band and for exceeding the FCC’s cable signal leakage limits.
April 5, 2013 Yesterday, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (“SCTE”) announced the publication of a new standards document, SCTE 197 2013, designed to help MVPDs and programmers comply with the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (“CALM”) Act obligations.
Live or “Near Live” Video Programming Aired on TV with Captions Must Now be Captioned When Distributed Online via IP
April 5, 2013 As of March 30, 2013, distributors of video programming (“VPDs”) online using Internet Protocol (“IP”) must pass through closed captions for programming which previously aired live or “near-live” on television with closed captions.
March 8, 2013 All providers of telecommunications, including resellers and those offering interconnected VoIP service, with very limited exceptions, must file their annual telecommunications revenue report (Form 499-A) on or before April 1, 2013. This includes any entity that relies on the de minimis exception for contributions to the federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”).