If President Bush signs the Rockefeller-Capps bill, all analog full-power TV broadcasting will not end on Feb. 17, 2009.

The bill directs the FCC to develop and implement, by Jan. 15, a program to permit continued analog TV broadcasts with DTV educational information and emergency messaging after the Feb. 17, 2009 transition date.

The bill, S.3663, is similar to the House bill previously described in RF Report with the exception that broadcaster participation is voluntary. The House bill could have been interpreted as requiring broadcasters, where possible, to continue analog broadcasting of DTV transition and emergency information.

“Coupled with our billion-dollar campaign to educate Americans on the digital TV transition, this timely legislation will give broadcasters one final resource to ensure that no TV viewer is left behind due to insufficient information,” said Dennis Wharton, NAB executive vice president. “We applaud Congress and thank Sen. Rockefeller and Rep. Capps for their leadership on this issue."

Read more of Doug Lung's RF Report here.