By Martin H.
Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com
August 18, 2008
In an effort to increase consumer awareness of the impending digital television (DTV) transition, all five members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and members of the agency's staff will travel to regions of the country that are served largely by over-the-air television signals. These "critical markets" may be most at risk of losing television service when broadcasters switch from analog television signals to digital on February 17, 2009.
"As part of our efforts to prepare consumers for the transition, we have identified television markets in which the largest number of viewers will have to take action to be prepared for the transition six months from now," said FCC chairman Kevin Martin.
"This unprecedented nationwide tour by the entire Commission is part of our commitment to prepare and educate consumers about the digital television transition."Beginning this month, members of the FCC and other interested parties will be holding meetings, townhalls, or press conferences in the targeted areas to spread information about the transition, what equipment consumers need, and what potential changes to their television service they might encounter.
The tentative list of cities FCC commissioners will be visiting within the target markets includes:
• Anchorage, Alaska 8/27/2008
• Fairbanks, Alaska 8/28/2008
• Baltimore, Maryland 9/8/2008
• San Francisco, California 9/11/2008
• Austin, Texas 9/18/2008
• Houston, Texas 9/17/2008
• Memphis, Tennessee 9/19/2008
• New York, New York 9/27/2008
• Boise, Idaho 9/29/2008
• Atlanta, Georgia 9/29/2008
• Missoula, Montana 9/30/2008
• Helena, Montana 10/1/2008
• Bozeman, Montana 10/2/2008
• Billings, Montana 10/3/2008
• Nashville, Tennessee 10/7/2008
• Charlotte, North Carolina 10/16/2008
• Denver, Colorado 10/16/2008
• Seattle, Washington 10/20/2008
• Spokane, Washington 10/21/2008
• Yakima, Washington 10/22/2008
• Portland, Oregon 10/23/2008
• Chicago, Illinois 11/20/2008
• Phoenix, Arizona 12/29/2008
Prior to each stop, the FCC will work with local media and interest groups such as the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to increase distribution of public service announcements (PSAs) on both radio and television to further increase awareness of the transition. The agency has also launched a "Request a Speaker" campaign to recruit speakers for each pit stop on the tour.
Although consumer awareness of the DTV transition and what it means is improving, surveys continue to show that households are confused about what they need to do, what equipment to buy, or even if they will be affected.
Retailers have been caught giving consumers bad information about whether or not they will need set-top converter boxes for their televisions, if cable subscribers will be affected, and so on.
The FCC has also been criticized for its handling of the transition, with Congress and consumer advocates claiming the government agencies responsible for the transition--the FCC and the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA)--have not done enough to disseminate information about the government's $40 voucher program for set-top boxes, through which households can subsidize the cost of buying a digital receiver for their television set.
The FCC previewed the new national outreach strategy when Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate addressed the Donelson Senior Center in Nashville, Tennessee on August 11. "[The FCC is aware] that there are major portions of our society that depend on over-the-air broadcasts for weather, sports, politics, community events, and most importantly, emergency alerts," Tate said.
"We must all work together to make educational materials available to seniors; we must hold seminars and forums in their communities to explain the steps they need to take to be ready; and we must continue to remind them how soon this change is coming," Tate said.
What you need to know
• If you have cable or satellite, you don't need a converter box.
• If you have a television manufactured after 2004, you very likely don't need a converter box, but check the television and/or manual to be sure that you have a digital tuner. Some televisions manufactured before 2004 have digital tuners, but not very many.
• Flat screen televisions and high definition monitors may be analog so consult your manual or the TV itself.
• If you do need a converter box, you can apply for two $40 coupons per household at www.DTV.gov. Converter boxes typically cost from $50 to $60 so it pays to apply for the coupon, which you can do online, by mail, by phone or by fax. Your coupon should arrive within two weeks, and they expire 90 days after they are mailed.
