Funding available for rural digital public television projects

Rural Development Acting Under Secretary Doug O’Brien announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help rural public television broadcasters complete the transition to digital signals. Funding is available through the Department’s Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant Program.
The announcement of almost $2.8 million in available funding is part of USDA’s continued support of telecommunications and broadcast services in rural areas. Funds can be used to acquire, lease or install equipment or software necessary to complete the digital transition.
The Federal Communications Commission required television broadcasters to convert transmitters to digital signals in 2009, but the deadline for analog-to-digital conversion of translators is Sept. 1, 2015. As a result, many rural stations have not completed full digital transition of their stations across all equipment. Continuation of reliable public television service for all rural residents remains a priority for many rural broadcasters.
The deadline for applications is Aug. 30.  For additional information, see Page 42487 of the July 16 Federal Register, or go to http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-07-16/pdf/2013-16953.pdf.

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