[opendtv] News: Digital Transition Seen as One Step Closer
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:45:08 -0500
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=11685
March 8, 2007
Digital Transition Seen as One Step Closer
By Ira Teinowitz
The director of the federal government agency charged with educating
the public on the coming digital TV transition predicted the next
step in the switchover is imminent.
John N.R. Kneurer said the Office of Management & Budget is nearly
ready to formally OK the agency's proposed rule-setting standards for
analog-to-digital converter boxes and eligibility for government
discount coupons. However, Kneurer, who as assistant secretary of
commerce heads the National Telecommunications & Information
Association, declined to say whether that approval could come as soon
as Friday.
Formal promulgation of the rule has been holding up the digital
transition. Both the launch of full-scale manufacture of the
converter boxes that will be needed for analog TVs when the country
switches to digital Feb. 17, 2009, and the government's hiring of a
fulfillment house to give out the coupons, good for $40 toward the
boxes, have been delayed.
The delay has drawn the ire of some Democrats, including House Energy
and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich.
The government has set aside $1.5 billion for the coupons and it
expected to reserve them for households without cable or satellite.
Democrats contend the funding is insufficient.
Mr. Kneurer made his prediction to reporters Thursday after
testifying about the department's budget to a panel of the House
Appropriations Committee.
"We have answered all their questions. I don't foresee the need for
lots of time-consuming, continuing negotiation," he said of the OMB,
which must approve federal rulemaking.
At the hearing, Mr. Kneurer told congressman that NTIA intended to
use the $5 million set aside to publicize the digital transition
solely to publicize the coupon program. He said the agency would rely
on a coalition of broadcasters, retailers and consumer-electronics
makers to publicize the digital transition itself, but with the idea
that both efforts would be integrated and the coalition effort would
direct consumers who are eligible for rebates to the NTIA Web site.
He predicted occasional TV watchers would be the most difficult to reach.
Several members questioned the Bush administration's proposal to
eliminate separate funding for a grant program intended to provide
facilities for public broadcast stations. Mr. Kneurer said the
administration's budget would let the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting weigh the merits of funding programming versus making
facility grants.
(Editor: Horowitz)
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