*FCC Relaxes Digital-TV Transition Order*
By Kim Hart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 22, 2008; D02
The _Federal Communications Commission_
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/U.S.+Federal+Communications+Commission?tid=informline>
is planning to lay out a new, more flexible set of guidelines for
broadcasters, cable companies and television manufacturers as they
try to educate consumers about the coming switch from analog to
digital programming.
The commission has been under pressure by consumer groups and
members of Congress to take stronger steps in raising awareness
about the transition. Broadcasters will stop sending analog
signals and move to all-digital programming on Feb. 17, 2009.
After that, TV watchers who rely on antennas to receive
over-the-air broadcasts will need a special converter box.
Educating consumers on how to avoid losing their TV signals has
proved to be a daunting task. Many of the estimated 70 million or
so analog TV sets that rely on over-the-air signals belong to
minorities, seniors, low-income individuals and people who live in
rural areas. These communities also heavily rely on such
television broadcasts to receive critical information, such as
news and weather reports and public-safety warnings.
Digital television sets or those hooked up to cable or satellite
service will not be affected by the transition.
Under a previous plan, the FCC proposed to order broadcasters and
cable operators to implement a variety of education initiatives.
The industries expressed concern, however, that the tightly
scripted public service announcements and reminders to be stuffed
in monthly bills did not allow enough flexibility in reaching
their customers.
The revised plan, which agency staff members said could be
released as early as today, softens those requirements. According
to the new order, broadcasters have the choice of following the
FCC's plan or the guidelines set forth by their trade group, the
_National Association of Broadcasters_
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/National+Association+of+Broadcasters?tid=informline>.
Cable providers will be required to notify their customers of the
impending transition at least once a month, according to people
familiar with the order who spoke on condition of anonymity
because it has not been released. TV manufacturers will also be
required to notify customers of the transition in product packaging.
The NAB has committed about $1 billion to educating consumers
about the transition, while the cable industry has said it will
spend about $200 million over the next year.
Debbie L. Sweeney
Senior Vice President, Director of Programming
Pappas Telecasting Companies
Fresno Corporate Office
5111 E. McKinley Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727-2033
Phone: (559) 255-2600
Fax: (559)255-0275
E-Mail: _dsweeney@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dsweeney@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
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