In a bid to help prepare consumers for the digital transition effort in the United States, some top House Republicans want to put Government warning labels on Analog TVs. Unlikethe many Government health warnings you can find on products, this warning would read "This TV has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after Feb. 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts."
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and U.S. Reps. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Fred Upton, R-Mich, who also sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee have introduced the idea in the form of legislation. The legislation also requires cable and satellite service providers to notify customers on bills about the upcoming digital transition.
Broadcasters would also have to file regular reports detailing their consumer education efforts and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be required to create a consumer outreach effort and also file regular updates about how many consumers had redeemed coupons for converter boxes.
The National Association of Broadcasters has endorsed the legislation. "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," said Dennis Wharton, NAB Executive VP of media relations.
Source:
TV Week
Broadcasters would also have to file regular reports detailing their consumer education efforts and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be required to create a consumer outreach effort and also file regular updates about how many consumers had redeemed coupons for converter boxes.
The National Association of Broadcasters has endorsed the legislation. "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," said Dennis Wharton, NAB Executive VP of media relations.
Source:
TV Week
