Washington, D.C.
(February 15, 2007)
-- Rep. John Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and
Commerce Committee, says he will make sure no one loses
his TV signals when the nation switches to Digital TV.
“I will closely monitor both public and private sector efforts to ensure that no American household loses its television signal,” Dingell (D-Michigan) said in a statement.
On February 17, 2009, the nation will switch from analog to Digital TV signals, which means Americans will either need a new Digital TV or digital converter box to watch TV at that time.
Congressional lawmakers and other industry observers have expressed concerns that many Americans will not become aware of the switch and therefore will lose their signals when it occurs.
“I will closely monitor both public and private sector efforts to ensure that no American household loses its television signal,” Dingell (D-Michigan) said in a statement.
On February 17, 2009, the nation will switch from analog to Digital TV signals, which means Americans will either need a new Digital TV or digital converter box to watch TV at that time.
Congressional lawmakers and other industry observers have expressed concerns that many Americans will not become aware of the switch and therefore will lose their signals when it occurs.
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A coalition of cable, broadcasters and CE companies yesterday announced plans for a public service ad campaign to educate Americans on the changeover.
"Our goal is to ensure that no American loses the ability to view over-the-air television signals due to a lack of accurate information about the transition," said a statement signed by Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro, National Association of Broadcasters CEO David Rehr and National Cable and Telecommunications Association CEO Kyle McSlarrow.
Dingell yesterday praised the private sector effort, saying the Digital TV transition law did not provide adequate funding for education. Congress approved up to $1.5 billion in subsidies for converter boxes but provided just $5 million for consumer education.
“The most recent Congress established February 17, 2009 as the transition date, yet failed to ensure adequate consumer education," Dingell said in his statement. "For this reason, I am particularly pleased that the broadcasting, cable and consumer electronics industries are joining to educate consumers on the transition and on how to obtain the converter-box coupons to help keep their TVs functioning."
Cable and satellite operators are expected to provide set-tops that can convert digital signals to analog. So the 22 million U.S. homes that receive TV signals via off-air antennas will have the greatest need for the boxes.
The Bush administration is expected shortly to issue rules on converter box eligibility and procedures. But National Journal reports that the president's new budget says converter coupons will be available upon request from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Each household will be eligible for up to two coupons.
With an estimated 75 million analog TVs currently in U.S. households (including cable and satellite), the $1.5 billion in coupon subsidies is not expected to satisfy demand. But congressional Democrats, who are expected to hold hearings this year on the subsidy program, could eventually increase funding.
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© TVPredictions.com
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A coalition of cable, broadcasters and CE companies yesterday announced plans for a public service ad campaign to educate Americans on the changeover.
"Our goal is to ensure that no American loses the ability to view over-the-air television signals due to a lack of accurate information about the transition," said a statement signed by Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro, National Association of Broadcasters CEO David Rehr and National Cable and Telecommunications Association CEO Kyle McSlarrow.
Dingell yesterday praised the private sector effort, saying the Digital TV transition law did not provide adequate funding for education. Congress approved up to $1.5 billion in subsidies for converter boxes but provided just $5 million for consumer education.
“The most recent Congress established February 17, 2009 as the transition date, yet failed to ensure adequate consumer education," Dingell said in his statement. "For this reason, I am particularly pleased that the broadcasting, cable and consumer electronics industries are joining to educate consumers on the transition and on how to obtain the converter-box coupons to help keep their TVs functioning."
Cable and satellite operators are expected to provide set-tops that can convert digital signals to analog. So the 22 million U.S. homes that receive TV signals via off-air antennas will have the greatest need for the boxes.
The Bush administration is expected shortly to issue rules on converter box eligibility and procedures. But National Journal reports that the president's new budget says converter coupons will be available upon request from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Each household will be eligible for up to two coupons.
With an estimated 75 million analog TVs currently in U.S. households (including cable and satellite), the $1.5 billion in coupon subsidies is not expected to satisfy demand. But congressional Democrats, who are expected to hold hearings this year on the subsidy program, could eventually increase funding.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
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