Digital Television Transition Policies in the United States (1996–2009)

1. Telecommunications Act addresses “advanced television”

   Feb 8, 1996Labels: Telecommunications Act, Congress

   • Congress gov
   • House Report

2. FCC adopts the ATSC digital TV standard

   Dec 26, 1996Labels: FCC, ATSC

   • WIRED
   • NTIA

3. FCC issues initial DTV allotments and build-out schedule

   Apr 3, 1997Labels: FCC, DTV allotments

   • HDTV US
   • Congress Hearing

4. Balanced Budget Act sets a 2006 spectrum-return framework

   Aug 5, 1997Labels: Balanced Budget, Congress

   • Congress gov
   • Congress Hearing

5. First major wave of U.S. DTV stations goes on air

   Nov 1, 1998Labels: DTV stations, Broadcasters

   • WIRED
   • Congress Hearing

6. FCC sets deadlines for digital tuner inclusion in new TVs

   Aug 8, 2002Labels: FCC, Digital tuners

   • Congress gov
   • TWICE

7. FCC’s Second DTV Periodic Review tightens transition rules

   Aug 4, 2004Labels: FCC, Second Periodic

   • Congress gov
   • Copyright Office

8. Deficit Reduction Act sets a firm February 2009 shutoff

   Feb 8, 2006Labels: Deficit Reduction, Congress

   • Congress gov
   • Senate Commerce

9. FCC sets detailed procedures for final transition stages

   Dec 31, 2007Labels: FCC, Third Periodic

   • Broadcast Law
   • Congress gov

10. Converter-box coupon requests open nationwide

    Jan 1, 2008Labels: NTIA, Converter coupons

    • Congress gov
    • NTIA

11. DTV Delay Act postpones national deadline to June 2009

    Feb 11, 2009Labels: DTV Delay, Congress

    • Congress gov
    • Senate Commerce

12. Full-power analog TV ends; U.S. completes DTV transition

    Jun 12, 2009Labels: Full-power stations, DTV transition

    • Senate Commerce
    • EDN