DTV Transition Soft Tests

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Emergency Letter Soft Test.pdf Supplementary Document	2009-05-14
Supporting Statement OMB 3060-XXXX May 21 soft test.doc Supporting Statement A	2009-05-14

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
189158	DTV Transition "Soft Tests" Other-Document	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3060-1125	ICR Reference No: 200905-3060-015
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: FCC	Agency Tracking No: MB
Title: DTV Transition Soft Tests
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 05/14/2009
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 05/15/2009
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/14/2009
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2009	6 Months From Approved
Responses	37,200	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	11,390	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: On February 11, 2009, the DTV Delay Act was signed by the President and enacted into law, extending the nationwide DTV transition date from February 17 until June 12, 2009. As a result, after June 12, 2009, full-power television broadcast stations must transmit only digital signals, and may no longer transmit analog signals, except for limited statutory analog “nightlight” service. The DTV Delay Act directs the Commission to take any actions “necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions, and carry out the purposes” of the DTV Delay Act, and to do so within 30 days. Congress extended the transition date in order to permit analog service to continue until consumers have had additional time to prepare. The Commission is currently reaching out to the broadcast industry to coordinate a voluntary nationwide block programming “soft test” on May 21. A “soft test” is when a station airs a slate and/or other programming for a very short period of time in lieu of regularly scheduled programming to catch the attention of viewers and inform them that if they are receiving this “soft test” programming then they may not prepared for the DTV transition. The test should be an effective way to measure government, industry, and consumer readiness for the digital transition on June 12 and would remind consumers of the immediate need to take action. It will test the preparedness of the Commission’s and broadcasters’ call centers to handle the call traffic expected around the final transition date. Industry-sponsored “soft tests” to date have proven effective as “wake up calls” to consumers. The Commission, however, is asking broadcasters to conduct a soft test on the same day and at the same time to ensure viewers will notice the test. The Commission believes a coordinated nationwide test – even though voluntary –would maximize the impact of the test. The Commission’s request for broadcasters to voluntarily participate in the nationwide block programming “soft test” on May 21 implicates the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (“PRA”) and would impose the following voluntary third party disclosure information collection requirements.

Emergency Justfication: The Commission request approval by Thursday, May 14, 2009 for a voluntary nationwide block programming "soft test" on May 21. Because these voluntary third party disclosure information collection requirements will last only for the remaining month until the June 12, 2009 transition deadline, we request an expedited timeline for OMB approval. Furthermore, waiver of the public comment period is warranted both because the collection is needed immediately to be done on May 21 and also because the FCC has coordinated with industry and incorporated input from industry for this voluntary soft test request. On February 11, 2009, the DTV Delay Act was signed by the President and enacted into law, extending the nationwide DTV transition date from February 17 until June 12, 2009. As a result, after June 12, 2009, full-power television broadcast stations must transmit only digital signals, and may no longer transmit analog signals, except for limited statutory analog “nightlight” service. The DTV Delay Act directs the Commission to take any actions “necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions, and carry out the purposes” of the DTV Delay Act, and to do so within 30 days. Congress extended the transition date in order to permit analog service to continue until consumers have had additional time to prepare.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 47 USC 151, 152, 154, 157, 303, 309 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 337 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 309(j)(14) and 337(e) Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
DTV Transition "Soft Tests"

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	37,200	0	0	37,200	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	11,390	0	0	11,390	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new information collection which adds a program change of +11,390 annual burden hours to this collection.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 05/14/2009

---