Some top House Republicans seeking to put new teeth into the digital transition educational effort want to require government warning labels on remaining analog-only TV sets.

Instead of warning about health dangers, these labels would warn “This TV has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after Feb. 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts.”

The government warning is being proposed in legislation introduced today by U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and U.S. Reps. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Fred Upton, R-Mich, who also sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Besides the warning, the legislation would require cable and satellite service providers include information in bills notifying customers about the upcoming digital transition, would require broadcasters to file regular reports detailing their consumer education efforts and would require the Federal Communications Commission to create a consumer outreach effort and also file regular updates about how many consumers had redeemed coupons for converter boxes.

The legislation was immediately endorsed by the National Association of Broadcasters.

“As we draw nearer to February 2009, we welcome all pro-consumer initiatives designed to positively educate America on the transition from analog to digital television,” said Dennis Wharton, NAB Executive VP of media relations.

(Editor: Gilbert)