Dear Mr. Shields:
Thank you for expressing your concern regarding the reauthorization of the
Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHIVA) of 1999. I appreciate your
bringing this matter to my attention, and, as always, I value your input.
As you may know, Congress and the FCC have set a target date of December 31,
2006 for broadcasters to cease broadcasting analog signals. Starting in 1987,
the FCC launched a decade-long series of proceedings exploring the potential and
feasibility of a transition from conventional analog televisions to advanced
television systems. In 1997, shortly after Congress passed the
Telecommunications Act of 1996, which required broadcasters to eventually return
their analog channels to the government, the FCC adopted rules that set the
target return date of December 31, 2006. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997
enacted that target date.
As you know, Congress is considering reauthorization of certain provisions of
the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHIVA) of 1999 that is set to expire
later this year. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) recently introduced the Satellite
Home Viewer Extension Act, or S. 2013, which would extend the distant network
signal license through 2009. S. 2013 also includes provisions that would allow
satellite television companies to provide "distant network signals" to
subscribers who cannot receive broadcast network television signals via
antennas. Upon its introduction, S. 2013 was referred to the Senate Committee
on Judiciary, where it is currently awaiting action.
Clearly, the transition from analog to digital television is a highly complex
issue that involves different industries, technologies, and interests,
including: content providers, commercial and noncommercial television
broadcasters, cable and satellite television providers, consumer electronics
manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Over the past couple of years,
committees in both the House and Senate have held hearings regarding the
transition, and members of these committees have discussed crafting a
comprehensive digital television (DTV) bill that would address a variety of
issues, including: DTV tuners, DTV cable carriage limitations, DTV set-top-box
compatibility, pass through of high definition programming by broadcast network
affiliates, and content protection for digital video programming. My staff and
I will continue to monitor the hearings held by these Congressional committees
as well as any actions taken by the FCC. Should the Senate consider legislation
regarding the transition to digital television, I will be sure to keep your
views in mind.
Thank you again for contacting my office regarding the costs of transitioning to
digital televisions. Please feel free to contact me in the future about this,
or another matter of importance to you.
With best personal regards, I am
Sincerely Thomas R. Carper