Senators worried about TV ‘train wreck‘
http://www.leadingthecharge.com/View...37933&source=2
By JOHN DUNBAR, Associated Press Writer 4 minutes ago
7/26/2007
WASHINGTON - On Feb. 18, 2009, tens of millions of televisions that are not equipped to receive digital signals will become useless pieces of furniture. The government is spending $5 million to let owners know so they can do something about it — a sum critics say is too measly.
John Kneuer, chief of the federal agency tasked with ensuring a smooth digital transition, told the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday that the government will be leaning heavily on broadcasters.
Some committee members were clearly worried about the transition. A poll released in January by the Association for Public Television Stations indicated 61 percent of respondents had "no idea" the digital transition was going to take place.
A 2005 report by the Government Accountability Office said 21 million households — roughly 19 percent of the nation — rely on an antenna rather than cable or satellite to receive television signals.
A number of organizations are concerned that many people, particularly the elderly, the poor and minorities, will be caught off guard when the change occurs.
After the first of the year, the government will be making available to each household two coupons worth $40 each that can be used to buy two converter boxes. Congress has set aside $1.5 billion to pay for the coupon program.
But only $5 million has been earmarked for public education.
In April, the agency required retailers to disclose to consumers that televisions that can only receive analog signals are not equipped to receive over-the-air signals beyond Feb. 17, 2009.
Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters, said television station owners are highly motivated to get the word out. "Our very business is at stake here," he said.
"Broadcasters will do our dead-level best to educate Americans on this transition," he said.
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