Washington, D.C.
(March 27, 2007)
-- Some people are engaging in "fear-mongering" by
suggesting millions of Americans may lose their TV
signals when the nation switches to Digital TV.
So says Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, according to a report by Broadcasting & Cable magazine.
At a panel discussion yesterday in Washington, D.C., Shapiro said the Digital TV transition "will be uncomfortable and different, but that if we do our jobs right most consumers will know what their options are."
On February 17, 2009, all broadcasters must switch to digital signals. On that date, viewers will not be able to watch TV unless they get a new Digital TV, subscribe to cable or satellite or get converter boxes which will enable old analog TVs to display the new signals.
An estimated 19 million people now do not subscribe to cable or satellite.
According to B&C, Shapiro said demand for the converter boxes will be less than what some people think.
So says Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, according to a report by Broadcasting & Cable magazine.
At a panel discussion yesterday in Washington, D.C., Shapiro said the Digital TV transition "will be uncomfortable and different, but that if we do our jobs right most consumers will know what their options are."
On February 17, 2009, all broadcasters must switch to digital signals. On that date, viewers will not be able to watch TV unless they get a new Digital TV, subscribe to cable or satellite or get converter boxes which will enable old analog TVs to display the new signals.
An estimated 19 million people now do not subscribe to cable or satellite.
According to B&C, Shapiro said demand for the converter boxes will be less than what some people think.
"Less than 15% of
homes will really be shut out totally... (and) some
of them want to be shut out," he said. "There is
fear-mongering going on, and frankly, it has become
a political issue. Democrats are saying the
Republicans didn't give enough money and the
Democrats now are saying 'oh, we need more money.' "
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Shapiro was referring to the federal government's $1.5 billion appropriation for the issuing of two $40 converter coupons to every American who requests them. (The feds will begin handing out the coupons in January; the converters are expected to cost around $60.) Some Democrats are saying the $1.5 billion is not enough to meet demand.
John Lawson, president of the Association of Public Television Stations, another panelist at the Monday session, disagree with Shapiro that the $1.5 billion is sufficient.
"We've been consistent from day one. We think the government needs to do its part as a major stakeholder in the success of the transition and invest a little bit more in outreach," he said.
Kyle McSlarrow, president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, told the panel audience that a robust educational campaign will be needed to alert consumers to the switch.
The NCTA is participating in an industry-wide effort to educate Americans.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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Shapiro was referring to the federal government's $1.5 billion appropriation for the issuing of two $40 converter coupons to every American who requests them. (The feds will begin handing out the coupons in January; the converters are expected to cost around $60.) Some Democrats are saying the $1.5 billion is not enough to meet demand.
John Lawson, president of the Association of Public Television Stations, another panelist at the Monday session, disagree with Shapiro that the $1.5 billion is sufficient.
"We've been consistent from day one. We think the government needs to do its part as a major stakeholder in the success of the transition and invest a little bit more in outreach," he said.
Kyle McSlarrow, president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, told the panel audience that a robust educational campaign will be needed to alert consumers to the switch.
The NCTA is participating in an industry-wide effort to educate Americans.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________
Phillip Swann is president and publisher of
TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of
publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN,
Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The
Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial
Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click
TVPredictions.com
to read more news and features
on TV technology.