Opportunity Information: Apply for RDUP 11 01 PTV
Apply for RDUP 11 01 PTV
- The Utilities Programs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.861 Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 17, 2011 and posted on Jun 17, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 25, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,491,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Public Television Stations. Public television station means a noncommercial educational television broadcast station that is qualified for Community Service Grants by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting under section 396 (k) of the Communications Act of 1934. Typically these are PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) member stations.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number RDUP 11 01 PTV) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity designed to help rural-serving public television stations finish the shift from analog to digital operations. Although the FCC required all TV broadcasters to convert their main transmitters to digital by June 12, 2009, many rural stations still faced gaps in completing a full end-to-end transition across their broader network and internal systems. This program was created to address those remaining needs, especially in places where stations rely on multiple translator sites to reach small, remote, or hard-to-serve communities and where some of those translators had not yet been upgraded to digital. It also recognizes that, beyond transmission, some rural stations were still operating with production and studio equipment that had not been fully modernized for digital workflows.
Grant funds can be used for equipment, facilities, and software directly tied to completing the digital transition. That includes acquiring and installing digital broadcast-related infrastructure and technology, upgrading translator facilities, and improving station systems needed to originate and manage local programming in a digital environment. The program also allows funding for related engineering and environmental studies, acknowledging that technical design work and compliance reviews are often necessary before installation and construction can move forward. Overall, the intent is practical and implementation-focused: to help eligible stations complete the remaining pieces of digital conversion so rural viewers can continue receiving reliable public television service and stations can operate effectively in a digital production and distribution landscape.
Eligibility is limited to public television stations, defined as noncommercial educational television broadcast stations that qualify for Community Service Grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting under Section 396(k) of the Communications Act of 1934. In practice, this typically includes PBS member stations. The program description emphasizes rural service, so the target audience is public TV stations whose coverage areas include rural communities and whose remaining transition work often involves translator networks and rural infrastructure challenges.
For this specific solicitation posted June 17, 2011, the estimated total funding available was $4,491,000, with an expected 15 awards. Individual awards could be as high as $750,000, with no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds. The application window closed July 25, 2011 (and the opportunity was archived July 26, 2011). The program is associated with CFDA number 10.861 and was administered through USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs. Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement electronically were directed to contact Petra Schultze, Financial Analyst, at 202-690-4493.
Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program (RDUP 11 01 PTV) - FAQs
What is the Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program?
The Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number RDUP 11 01 PTV) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity intended to help rural-serving public television stations complete remaining work needed to fully transition from analog to digital operations.
Why was this grant program created if the FCC digital transition deadline was in 2009?
Although the FCC required TV broadcasters to convert their main transmitters to digital by June 12, 2009, many rural stations still had unresolved gaps across their broader networks and internal systems. This program was designed to address those remaining transition needs, especially for stations serving remote or hard-to-serve areas.
What kinds of stations is the program trying to help?
The program targets public television stations that serve rural communities and that may rely on multiple translator sites to reach small, remote, or difficult-to-serve populations. It particularly recognizes situations where some translator facilities had not yet been upgraded to digital and where station production or studio operations were not fully modernized for digital workflows.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to public television stations, defined as noncommercial educational television broadcast stations that qualify for Community Service Grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) under Section 396(k) of the Communications Act of 1934. In practice, this typically includes PBS member stations.
Is this grant limited to rural areas?
The program description emphasizes rural service and is intended for stations whose coverage areas include rural communities and whose remaining digital transition work is tied to rural infrastructure challenges (such as translator networks serving remote locations).
What can grant funds be used for?
Grant funds can be used for equipment, facilities, and software that are directly tied to completing the digital transition. Allowable uses include acquiring and installing digital broadcast-related infrastructure and technology, upgrading translator facilities, and improving station systems needed to originate and manage local programming in a digital environment.
Can funds be used for translator upgrades?
Yes. A key focus described for this program is supporting rural stations that rely on multiple translator sites, including cases where some translators had not been upgraded to digital. Upgrading translator facilities is specifically included as an allowable use of funds.
Can funds be used for production and studio digital workflow upgrades?
Yes. The program recognizes that some rural stations were still operating with production and studio equipment not fully modernized for digital workflows, and it allows funding for improvements needed to originate and manage local programming in a digital environment.
Are engineering studies an eligible cost?
Yes. The program allows funding for related engineering studies, acknowledging that technical design work is often needed before installation and construction can proceed.
Are environmental studies an eligible cost?
Yes. The program also allows funding for related environmental studies, recognizing that compliance reviews may be necessary before installation and construction can move forward.
What is the overall purpose or intent of the program?
The intent is practical and implementation-focused: to help eligible rural-serving public television stations complete the remaining pieces of digital conversion so rural viewers can continue receiving reliable public television service and stations can operate effectively in a digital production and distribution environment.
How much total funding was available under this solicitation?
For the solicitation posted June 17, 2011, the estimated total funding available was $4,491,000.
How many awards were expected?
The solicitation anticipated approximately 15 awards.
What was the maximum award amount?
Individual awards could be as high as $750,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.
Was cost sharing or a match required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
When did the application window close?
The application window closed on July 25, 2011.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on July 26, 2011.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 10.861.
Which federal agency administered this opportunity?
The program was administered through USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this program is RDUP 11 01 PTV.
Who could applicants contact for help accessing the full announcement electronically?
Applicants who needed help accessing the full announcement electronically were directed to contact Petra Schultze, Financial Analyst, at 202-690-4493.
Does the program focus only on main transmitter conversion?
No. The program was created because many rural stations had already met the main transmitter deadline but still needed to complete an end-to-end transition across broader networks and internal systems, including translator networks and station production and management capabilities.
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