The Federal Communications Commission’s new emergency information accessibility rules have been published in the Federal Register and will become effective on August 10, 2015. These rules require multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to pass through a secondary audio stream containing audible emergency information when they permit consumers to access linear programming on second screen devices, such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and similar devices. Additionally, comment and reply dates have been established for the Second Further Notice (Notice) adopted in connection with the new rules. The Notice requested comment on how to prioritize aural emergency information on the secondary audio stream; whether to continue to require school closing information to be included aurally on the secondary audio stream; and whether to require MVPDs to ensure that the devices and applications they provide to subscribers include a simple and easy to use activation mechanism for accessing audible emergency information on the secondary audio stream. Comments are due on or before August 10, 2015 and reply comments are due on or before September 8, 2015.
