AFN Distribution Requirements.pdf

February 11, 2020

MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRIBUTION

FROM: DIRECTOR, AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK

SUBJECT: AFN Distribution Requirements

References: See Enclosure 4

This memorandum cancels and replaces references (f) and (g), and establishes technical, security, and conditional access requirements for the distribution of American Forces Network (AFN) programming. Distributors seeking to distribute AFN content must meet the requirements outlined in this memorandum. Existing last-mile distribution agreements that do not meet AFN Distribution Requirements as stipulated in this memorandum must adopt these measures no later than 1 October 2023 or their authority to distribute AFN content will be revoked.

All questions related to this policy or implementation guidance in the attachment should be directed to the undersigned at (301) 222-6473, DSN (312) 733-4473, or erik.g.brazones.civ@mail.mil or to AFN Operations at afn.ops.dma@mail.mil.

ERIK G. BRAZONES, GS-13, DoDC Broadcast Operations Officer

Attachment:

1. AFN Distribution Requirements

Distribution:

Army and Air Force Exchange Service Telecommunications Division Navy Exchange Service Telecommunications Program Office Marine Corps Exchange Service, Marine Corps Community Services

AFN Distribution Requirements Feb 11, 2020

AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ENCLOSURE 1: GENERAL INFORMATION…………....………………

ENCLOSURE 2: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS……..…………………………

ENCLOSURE 3: GLOSSARY……………………….…………………………..……………. 8

ENCLOSURE 4: REFERENCES……………...………………………………………………. 11

3 ENCLOSURE 1

ENCLOSURE 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. BACKGROUND: The American Forces Network is a worldwide non-commercial military broadcasting entity operating as a component of the Defense Media Activity, Fort George G.

Meade, Maryland. AFN uses commercial radio and television programming as a vehicle to provide command information messages from the Defense Department, service components, Combatant Commands, and local commanders to their forces assigned outside of the United States, its territories or possessions. Command Information is the primary AFN mission capability (reference (a)).

2. PROGRAMMING: AFN programming, secured under contract and via programming agreements with American and International program distributors, is intended solely for the authorized audience as identified in reference (b). AFN’s agreements with industry allow for the linear distribution of the program content as a “live TV” experience.

3. CONTENT AVAILABILITY AND FEES: Entities operating a television distribution system must place AFN content on the free tier of any multi-tier distribution scheme and cannot charge fees for access to AFN content. Military Exchange entities providing service in accordance with references (d) and (e), must ensure concessionaires operating distribution systems comply with this requirement. Distributors are authorized to charge a nominal access or line-maintenance fee, in accordance with reference (b), in order to maintain distribution systems or provide for end-user decryption of encrypted programming via a set-top box (STB).

4. AFN LOGO USE: The AFN logo and those associated with individual AFN channels and services are trademarked by the Defense Media Activity, American Forces Network, and their use by distributors in advertisements or on distributor-provided equipment and packaging is prohibited in accordance with reference (c) and (i). Distributors may use text on advertisements, packaging or equipment to assert the capabilities of an STB, i.e., “AFN capable” or “AFN ready,” for informational purposes only.

5. PROOF OF DISTRIBUTION: In accordance with reference (b), all distributors carrying AFN programming who also offer non-AFN programming must provide the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) with proof of distribution of their non-AFN content. The COR is responsible for submitting this information to AFN Operations within 60 days of the start of a new or renewed contract. The written approval must be signed by the programming source and/or content provider, i.e., ESPN, and include a detailed description of the content by channel or service, duration of contract, and any distribution stipulations. Confidential pricing information or proprietary processes should be redacted but must not obscure the fact the seller has the legal authority to sell the identified content to the distributor. AFN will deactivate all AFN decoders serving distribution systems if the documentation is not provided.

6. REPRESENTATION: AFN is authorized by reference (a) to procure programming for the network. This authorization does not extend to any third party and no entity operating under contract to distribute television programming to overseas U.S. military personnel shall directly or indirectly infer they are a non-commercial entity associated with AFN. Any entity operating

4 ENCLOSURE 1

under contract to distribute AFN and non-AFN television content overseas cannot use their distribution of AFN content as a means to obtain special pricing or consideration for any non- AFN content they seek to obtain and offer to their customers. Non-federal entities found to be violating this provision will be permanently barred from distributing AFN content.

7. TERMS OF USE: All Terms of Use authored by last-mile distributors must, at a minimum, include the following provisions;

a. The AFN portion of the service is only for the customer’s personal in-home use.

b. Recording, distributing, or making AFN content available to others by any other means including streaming content on the internet is prohibited.

c. Illegal recording, distribution or presentation of AFN content may result in the permanent termination of AFN access privileges.

8. AFN RESPONSIBILITIES: AFN, as a content provider, will:

a. Distribute AFN audio and video services worldwide via direct satellite, fiber optic transmission or encrypted circuits to uplink and downlink facilities.

b. Coordinate with CORs regarding the provisioning of AFN-capable decoders for placement in headend systems. CORs will follow standard chain-of-custody procedures when passing AFN-capable decoders to their last-mile distribution partners.

c. Coordinate with the last-mile distributor via the COR for any distributor who seeks to connect to an established AFN fiber network access point but the cost of any connection is the sole responsibility of the last-mile distributor.

d. Coordinate signal distribution changes through the CORs who will, in turn, provide the information to the last-mile distributors.

e. Work with entities operating distribution systems to ensure the AFN-capable decoders in those systems are identified to prevent the routine de-authorization and registration requirements.

5 ENCLOSURE 2

ENCLOSURE 2

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. U.S. GOVERNMENT OWNED EQUIPMENT CHAIN OF CUSTODY: Any USG-owned AFN-capable decoder used in a television distribution system will only be transferred between the USG entity serving as the distribution contract COR and the contractor performing the work.

The COR retains responsibility for the equipment when it is used to provide personal information services in accordance with reference (d). The COR or designated USG employee working in the entity serving as the COR must annually register each decoder via the portal on the AFN website.

2. SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION

a. SET-TOP BOX SPECIFICATIONS: Every distributor, through their COR, must provide AFN with a physical copy of any set-top box (STB) in use or planned for use via the COR so AFN can conduct security testing of the equipment. The distributor will provide login credentials and white-listing of AFN-designated IP addresses for evaluation and testing.

Distributors must also provide a datasheet of the STBs technical specifications to AFN via the COR. At a minimum all distributor-provided STBs must:

i. Be individually addressable.

ii. Use High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) on all High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections to prevent digital copying and signal piracy.

iii. Be capable of displaying its unique identification numbers and/or watermark to allow for forensic evaluation of a signal to allow for the identification of individuals engaged in signal piracy.

iv. If the vendor’s STB includes a DVR it must use Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of AFN content.

Media recorded on an external DVR must only capable of playback when paired with the STB that was used during the recording process.

v. Not strip or restrict the passing of closed-captioning information provided on all AFN-originated content in accordance with reference (h).

b. DISTRIBUTION STANDARD: Distributors will distribute AFN signals in MPEG-4 High-Definition standard. Converting the signal to an analog format by the distributor is permitted, but distributors cannot feed both digital and analog signals and place the digital signal on a paid tier of a multi-tier distribution system.

c. CONDITIONAL ACCESS: AFN programming will only be authorized on systems using integrated Conditional Access on all consumer-grade decoders or STBs.

d. ENCRYPTION STANDARD: All satellite distribution methods must use Verimatrix® 128 bit VCAS or equivalent encryption standards.

6 ENCLOSURE 2

3. CATV/IPTV OR OTHER TERRESTRIAL DISTRIBUTION: Last-mile distributors must pass AFN content through to their customers as received. No distributor may edit, cover or step on AFN signals, remove AFN interstitial material or insert any content, including interstitial content, not originating from AFN in accordance with reference (a), (b), and (c), with the sole exception of the following provision;

a. EMERGENCY MESSAGING: Last-mile distributors may run emergency messages over their systems, including AFN channels, if the capability exists and the following conditions are met:

i. The last-mile distributor is authorized by written agreement with the local command entity to pass messages to the audience impacted by an emergency announcement by individual installations or communities. The agreement must clearly state the entities authorized to initiate a message and authentication procedure A copy of the agreement must be provided to AFN Operations by the COR.

ii. Messages originate from the host installation command staff, Emergency Operations Center, command post, or Public Affairs Officer as stipulated by local agreements.

iii. The text or graphic doesn’t cover more than 1/3 of the screen space and is temporarily displayed.

iv. The messaging is removed as soon as the situation dictating the message is resolved.

b. AFN-CONTROLLED CABLE HEADENDS: Cable distribution system operators will accept the hand off of an MPEG-4 signal from an AFN facility when the facility controls and operates AFN-capable integrated receiver-decoders.

c. TRANSPORT STREAM OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (TSoIP): AFN content may be distributed via TSoIP as long as the content is encrypted along the entire signal path and only decrypted at the destination, i.e., individual residences or office spaces.

d. WI-FI DISTRIBUTION: No AFN content can be distributed or made available to any devices via Wi-Fi except when signal reception occurs through or via an AFN-owned and operated mobile application.

e. PROGRAM CACHING: The server-side caching of AFN content by distributors is expressly prohibited. AFN signals must be passed through to customers in real time and cannot be server delayed or stored by any distributor.

f. CLOSED CAPTIONING: Distributors must pass and/or make available to their customers closed captioning information in accordance with reference (h). Non-US-based or owned entities may request an exemption to this provision but must provide justification to AFN Operations, via their COR, stating the rationale for the exemption.

g. AREA OF OPERATION: Authority to distribute AFN content will be limited to specific geographic areas as outlined under contract between the COR and the distributor. AFN will, in consultation with the COR, identify specific AORs and provide the COR with written approval and authority to distribute AFN programming. Requests for expansion must be routed to AFN Operations through the COR, who is responsible for determining if the

7 ENCLOSURE 2

expansion would conflict with existing agreements guaranteeing distribution exclusivity to an entity already in the proposed expansion area.

h. TECHNICAL DRAWINGS: All distributors must provide the COR with detailed system architectural and backbone drawings and a narrative describing their distribution scheme within 60 days of the start or renewal of a contract or whenever substantive changes occur.

The COR is responsible for forwarding the information to AFN Operations at Fort Meade, MD.

i. CONDITIONAL ACCESS: Access to AFN content must be strictly controlled and the use of conditional access verification in all distribution schemes is required. Customers living on a U.S. military-controlled installation are assumed to meet eligibility criteria as it is a requirement for living in such quarters. DoD-affiliated customers who do not live on a U.S. installation and want access to AFN programming must pass Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) verification. The military Exchange (AAFES, NEXCOM, MCCS) Conditional Access (CA) protocols for their online sales portals are broader than AFN’s CA requirements. Exchange CA can be used for authentication but must be modified to omit personnel who are not eligible or not assigned to the installation where the service contract is initiated and renewed.

j. DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT PHYSICAL SECURITY: All distribution headend units and support equipment must be located in a secured, limited-access space. Only personnel with a valid need for entry should be allowed access. The installation, use, or presence of any digital recording device designed to record content in real time, near real time, or via digital file transfer in a distribution system is prohibited.

8 ENCLOSURE 3

ENCLOSURE 3

GLOSSARY

1. ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AFN American Forces Network

ASI Asynchronous Serial Interface

CCTV Closed-Circuit Television Distribution System

COR Contracting Officer Representative

DLTS Datagram Transport Layer Security

DMA Defense Media Activity

DoD Department of Defense

DoS Department of State

DRM Digital Rights Management

DTCP Digital Transmission Content Protection

DVB-C Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable

DVB-S2 Digital Video Broadcast - Satellite Generation 2

HDCP High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection

HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface

IPTV Internet Protocol Television

IRD Integrated Receiver Decoder

MAC Media Access Control

MPEG-4 Moving Pictures Experts Group - 4

STB Set-Top Box

TSoIP Transport Stream over Internet Protocol

USG United States Government

VCAS Video Content Authority System

2. DEFINITIONS

AFN Program. A program that provides multi-channel radio, audio, TV, web, and mobile command information services to DoD overseas communities and military expeditionary forces as assigned. Audiences include U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Military Sealift Command ships using AFN programming materials. The American Forces Network operates regionally in the Pacific and European areas of operation, and worldwide in support of contingency operations.

ASI: Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) is a transport stream mechanism or protocol which is used in headends and satellite broadcast. It’s an encapsulation method used to encapsulate

9 ENCLOSURE 3

the transport stream which is developed by MPEG encoders into a 270 Megabytes per Second (Mbps) signal. This 270 Mbps data rate is very high so it can support many different transport stream applications. It is compatible with Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition Serial Digital Interface (HD-SDI) signal routing and distribution.

COR: Contracting Officer Representative is an individual designated and authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer to perform specific contract administration or technical functions on contracts or task/delivery orders.

Decoder: An electronic component used to decrypt and distribute encrypted video and audio from a distribution system or satellite signal and display that content on a television screen or other display device. Decoders are assigned to unique ‘pools’ and all AFN-capable decoders are in an AFN-only pool, which are managed by AFN to ensure signal security.

DMA. A field activity under the authority, direction, and control of the ATSD(PA) that contributes to DoD operational readiness and combat effectiveness. This contribution is made through the development of policies, guidelines, standards, training, and central management of DoD internal information programs. DoD internal information programs include print publications, news media, internet operations, the Defense Information School, and audiovisual and visual information activities.

DRM: Digital Rights Management is a set of access control technologies for restricting the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. DRM technologies try to control the use, modification, and distribution of copyrighted words as well as systems within devices that enforce these policies.

DTCP: Digital Transmission Content Protection is a DRM technology that restricts digital home technologies including DVR hard drives and DVD players by encrypting interconnections between devices

DVB-C: The European consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital television over cable. This system transmits an MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 digital audio/video stream using QAM modulation with channel coding.

DVB-S2: Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite - Second Generation, is a digital television broadcast standard used in standard and high-definition television transmission, which is equivalent to MPEG-4 compression.

HDCP: High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection is used to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it traverses a distribution system. HDCP encrypts content to prevent it from being played on unauthorized devices or devices which have been modified to copy HDCP content.

HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a proprietary audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device, such as a display controller, to a compatible computer monitor, video projector, digital television, or digital audio device.

10 ENCLOSURE 3

Last-Mile Distribution: Last-mile distribution is the movement of audio and video signals from the point of delivery on an installation to the distribution entity who is then responsible for delivery to the final destination, typically government quarters, office and retail spaces on a U.S. military-controlled installations. Owner/operators of last-mile distribution systems serving the U.S. military audience must operate under contract to a USG entity.

MAC: A Media Access Control or MAC address is a hardware identification number that uniquely identifies each device on a network. The MAC address is manufactured into every network card, such as an Ethernet card or Wi-Fi card, and therefore cannot be changed.

MPEG-4: Moving Pictures Experts Group 4 is a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology used in the compression of audio/visual data for web, telephone and broadcast television applications.

QAM: Quadrature Amplitude Modulation is a digital modulation method used in modern telecommunications to transmit information via two analog message signals or two digital bit streams by modulating the amplitudes of the two carrier waves.

Set-Top Box: A device that generally contains a television tuner input and displays output to a television set and an external source of signal, tuning the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on a television screen or other display device. Colloquially used interchangeably with the term “decoder.”

TSoIP: Transport Stream over Internet Protocol uses an Asynchronous Serial Interface to transport an MPEG stream over distance.

11 ENCLOSURE 4

ENCLOSURE 4

REFERENCES

(a) DoD Instruction 5120.20, American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), incorporating change 1, November 20, 2017

(b) DoD Manual 5120.20, Management of American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) June 3, 2014

(c) DoD 5500.07-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, Incorporating Change 7, November 17, 2011

(d) DoD Instruction 1330.21, Armed Services Exchange Regulations, July 14, 2005

(e) Title 10, USC, § 2492a, Limitation on Department of Defense entities competing with private sector in offering personal information services

(f) Policy for Commercial Cable Providers to Carry AFN Services on Base Cable Systems, October 12, 2016 (cancelled)

(g) Use of Card-less Conditional Access Module (CAM) to decode AFN programming, November 30, 2017 (cancelled)

(h) Title 47, CFR, § 79.1, Closed Captioning of Video Programming

(i) DoD Instruction 1000.15, Procedures and Support for Non-Federal Entities Authorized to

Operate on DoD Installations, October 24, 2008