Senators Encourage Digital Television Awareness
Press Release
SENATORS ENCOURAGE DIGITAL TELEVISION AWARENESS
Resolution declares August as "Digital Television Transition Awareness Month"
The U.S. Senate has endorsed an effort to increase awareness and planning for next February's conversion to digital television signals. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and 31 of his Senate colleagues successfully backed a Senate Resolution, which has passed by unanimous consent, to declare August 2008 as "Digital Television Transition Awareness Month".
"On February 17th next year, analog signals from full-power television stations will end, and those who receive over-the-air signals may be caught without service if they do not plan ahead," Crapo said. "Senators are encouraging consumers to learn more about a government coupon program designed to help consumers defray the costs of purchasing converter boxes for analog television sets. I have already been active in working to educate Idahoans about this transition, and recent surveys about awareness in the state are showing that more and more people are taking measures to make sure that they are ready for the transition next year."
Crapo and officials with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) held a series of meetings in Idaho during February and March to promote information about the digital changeover. Many of the television stations serving Idaho also participated in the meetings, but Crapo noted more must be done ahead of the February 2009 deadline.
"This resolution will raise public awareness concerning the change in television signals," he added. "Western states have a high concentration of people who receive their television signals over the air, and we don't want them to be caught off guard."
Consumers can check with their local television stations and Crapo's website at http://crapo.senate.gov for information about the Digital Television Conversion. Information is also available at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration website at http://www.dtv2009.gov.
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