The Federal Communications Commission is opening the door to requiring broadcasters and cable providers to use their air time and billing statements to publicize the Feb. 17, 2009, transition from analog to digital television.
The move comes in reaction to a push from U.S. Reps. John Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the committee’s telecom panel, urging FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to act to step up publicity.
On Feb. 17, 2009, broadcasters’ analog signals will be turned off and they will offer only digital signals, rendering analog TVs useless unless they are connected to cable systems or have converter boxes. The converter boxes aren’t on sale yet, but they are supposed to be out at year end.
The Democrats fear the digital transition isn’t going well, with many consumers not yet aware that their TV sets soon will become obsolete.
While homes with cable or satellite TV won’t be affected, there has been some concern that secondary TVs—perhaps in kids’ rooms—could face problems.
The Democrats have been pressing the FCC to step up educational efforts.
The FCC today released a notice of proposed rulemaking that lists some of the Democrats’ suggestions and asks for comments. Among the suggestions: mandatory public service announcements, inserts in cable bills and notices to be provided with new TVs.
The FCC doesn’t offer detailed proposals for the number of PSAs or when they should run; it asked for comments.
FCC commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan Adelstein praised the plan, while saying it should have been done earlier.
“One thing we can do immediately is to start making consumers aware that the transition is coming and—crucially—why it’s happening and what’s in it for them,” said Mr. Copps. “The first message consumers hear should not be about how to get a converter box for a transition they’ve never heard of. To the extent consumers feel that this is something the government is doing to them rather than for them, we will face a very messy backlash.”
(Editor: Horowitz)
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Comments (3)
The article is technically incorrect regarding availability of converter boxes, otherwise known as STBs.
OTA ATSC DTV STBs have been available for years. I have two top-of-the-line Samsung firewire STBs, that output HD component/RGB as well as 480i.
I suspect the author is talking about the $50-$75 cheap versions, which I'm guessing will only output 480i.
Anyone want my converter coupons, since I won't need them? :-)
Posted by Mike Brown | July 31, 2007 1:58 PM
Maybe there will be a converter coupon black market.. Anyway, it seems broadcasters and cable/satellite companies have never been interested in educating the consumers about what choices they have in DTV since the day it started. You would think broadcasters would be the most interested in getting the word out about something they shelled out a million bucks for, delivering an HD signal over the air. The reaction when I suggest to management that maybe we should start to let viewers know, is that we would create some kind of commotion or panic, and that we should just wait tell 6 months before the transition to inform them. But they never come up with a plan that would be implemented in those 6 months leading up to the transition date. Aren't we broadcasters supposed to be good communicators, why would we create some kind of panic? It seems we can drill into the heads of our viewers who is "fair and balanced" or "coverage you can count on", why can't we get a simple message across about the transition date and what consumers can do to get ready?
Posted by Marcus Damberger | August 1, 2007 1:53 PM
For what it's worth: I recent purchased the digital TV box. I use rabbit ears on my TVs. When using the box the digital picture often is not available or is very jittery. I would much rather have the slight bit of snow on my analog stations than the poor reception of the digital signal. I've talked with others who are having this same experience. I hope teh FCC is ready for an on-slaught of complaints about this switch over.
Posted by Hark Up | January 7, 2009 5:41 AM