[opendtv] Re: News: DIGITAL TV TRANSITION BILL INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
- From: Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 08:31:18 -0500
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
> Energy standards. The NTIA would be required to establish energy
> standards for digital-to-analog converter boxes. National standards will
> help ensure that manufacturers can produce and distribute efficient,
> low-cost converter boxes for consumers nationwide.
>
This will likely be used as a reason by CE companies why they can't
deliver the previously promised boxes for $50.
- Tom
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/01/22/daily.10/
DIGITAL TV TRANSITION BILL INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
TVNEWSDAY, Jan. 22, 6:07 PM ET
Reps. Barton, Upton and Hastert sponsor legislation to boost public
education efforts leading up to the 2009 switch to digital.
Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives today dealing
with a number of educational efforts related to the Feb. 18, 2009, "hard
date" for turning off analog television.
Story continues after the ad
The bill was offered by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), ranking minority
member of the House Commerce Committee, along with Reps. Fred Upton
(R-Mich.), ranking minority member of the House Telecommunications
Subcommittee, and former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.),
who serves on the House Commerce Committee.
The bill's key provisions include:
Require labeling and signs. Set manufacturers would be required to place
labels on analog TVs. Retailers would be required to display signs near
analog televisions. This would help ensure that consumers who are
thinking of buying an analog television understand that after Feb. 17,
2009, they will need to connect the television to a converter-box, or to
cable or satellite service, to receive broadcast television signals.
Require billing notices. Cable and satellite operators would be required
to include information in their bills notifying subscribers about the
DTV transition and the digital-to-analog converter-box program. Cable
and satellite subscribers will be largely unaffected by the transition,
but this requirement will help ensure they understand what is happening.
Broadcaster reporting. Broadcasters will be required to file regular
reports with the FCC detailing what consumer education efforts they are
undertaking, such as the airing of public service announcements.
Broadcasters and their viewers will be among the prime beneficiaries of
the DTV transition and the converter-box program, and broadcasters are
uniquely suited to explain to consumers what will happen.
FCC outreach. The FCC would be required to create a public outreach
program to help educate consumers. The FCC would also be required to
create a DTV consumer education working group that includes
representatives from the FCC, the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA), broadcasters, cable and satellite
operators, consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers, and
consumer groups. The working group would be charged with helping to
advise the FCC on consumer outreach.
Energy standards. The NTIA would be required to establish energy
standards for digital-to-analog converter boxes. National standards will
help ensure that manufacturers can produce and distribute efficient,
low-cost converter boxes for consumers nationwide.
Progress reports. The FCC would be required to submit regular progress
reports to Congress on the DTV transition, including discussion of the
ongoing consumer education efforts of the FCC and the private sector.
The NTIA would be required to submit regular reports to Congress on the
distribution and redemption of coupons for converter boxes.
Dennis Wharton, NAB executive vice president, media relations, commented
on the legislation's introduction, saying: "NAB thanks ranking members
Barton and Upton and Rep. Hastert for offering legislation aimed at
educating America's television viewers about the ongoing digital
transition. 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."
Click the following link to read the entire bill.
http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/pressrel/releases/012207_DTV_Edu_Act.pdf
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--
Tom Barry trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx
Find my resume and video filters at www.trbarry.com
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