U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
RSS Feed
Privacy Policy
Legislation by Congress
109th | 110th
DTV Transition: Information for Consumers
Default Large Extra Large Home Text Only Site Map
Print
Press ReleasesPress Releases
For Immediate Release
07/26/07
Contact: Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
Email This
Print This
Senator Inouye: We Need to Get the DTV Transition Right
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) made the following statement at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Preparing Consumers for the Digital Television Transition.
 
“Between 15 and 21 million households rely exclusively on over-the-air television.  Many more have second and third over-the-air sets in their homes.  In February 2009, these Americans could see their televisions go dark, disconnecting them from news, public safety announcements, and their community unless they get a converter box and attach it to their television.
 
“Yet far too few of these consumers know that the transition from current analog television technology to digital television, or DTV, is underway. 
An article in last month’s National Journal stated that only 10 percent of our citizens know that the DTV transition is slated for 2009.  Many stakeholders in industry, in government, and in our communities are engaged in well-intended efforts to publicize and promote the upcoming transition.  To date, however, their efforts have yielded too few results. 
 
“We need to get the digital transition right.  Consumers stand to benefit mightily from the DTV transition. 
 
“They can expect sharper pictures, served up with CD-quality sound, that provide a dramatically improved viewing experience.  DTV also makes possible multicasting.  This could mean whole new channels devoted to local news, weather, children’s fare, and non-English language programming. 
 
“Along with these improvements, public safety will receive unbroken slices of our airways to enable interoperable communications and improved information sharing.
 
“Managing the transition is by no means easy.  We are now nearly 18 months away.  We have seen working groups, conferences, tip sheets, and a converter box coupon plan.  What we do not have yet is a public that is aware that the digital transition is taking place.
 
“The time to act is now—before the digital transition devolves into digital disaster.  We must work together to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the transition to digital television.”   
 
###
 
« Previous Press Release Press Releases Next Press Release »
 
July 2007 Press Releases  « June | August »   « 2006 | 2008 » 
31st -  Statement of Senator Inouye on Revised FCC 700 MHz Band Plan
27th -  Senator Stevens Applauds FCC Commitment to Rate Integration
27th -  Senate Commerce Committee to Explore Telemarketing Practices, CROA
27th -  Senate Approves 9/11 Commission Recommendations Bill
27th -  Congress Passes 9/11 Bill Conference Report with Commerce Provisions
27th -  Senate Commerce Committee Announces August 2 Markup Agenda
26th -  Stevens and Inouye Introduce Coast Guard Authorization
26th -  Inouye Cosponsors Coast Guard Authorization
26th -  Stevens Says DTV Transition Must Not be Delayed
26th -  current Press Release
25th -  Witness Panel Announced for Hearing on Rail Safety Improvements
25th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing
24th -  Commerce Dept. Secretary Gutierrez to Testify Before Senate Panel
24th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witness List for U.S.-China Trade Relations Hearing
24th -  Inouye Calls for Multi-Layered Strategy to Protect Children from Online Predators, Adult Content
24th -  Statement by Senator Stevens -- Protecting Children on the Internet Hearing
23rd -  Stevens Cosponsors Bill to Make Broadband Access More Affordable
20th -  Witness Panel Announced for Protecting Children on the Internet Hearing
19th -  Commerce Committee Approves Inouye Broadband Data Collection Bill
19th -  Hydrographic Data Bill Approved by Commerce Committee
19th -  Pool and Spa Safety Act Passes Commerce Committee
19th -  Inouye and Stevens Bill to Improve Hydrographic Data Passes Commerce Committee
19th -  Committee Passes Indecency Legislation Cosponsored by Stevens
19th -  Committee Approves Stevens/Inouye Bill to Expand Number Portability Rules
19th -  Statement by Senator Stevens on Commerce Committee Executive Session
18th -  Stevens Applauds Grant Program to Improve Interoperable Public Safety Communications
18th -  Senator Stevens Introduces Bill to Improve ATV Safety
17th -  Senator Stevens Calls for Continued Funding for Essential Air Service
16th -  Aviation Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Rural Air Service Hearing
16th -  Commerce Subcommittee to Explore U.S.-China Trade Relations
16th -  Witnesses Announced for Chinese Product Safety Oversight Hearing
13th -  Stevens Amendment to Allow Commercial Pilots to Fly Past Age 60 Approved by Appropriations Committee
13th -  Stevens Provision to Help Rural Schools, Libraries and Health Care Facilities Approved by Appropriations Committee
13th -  Stevens Cosponsors Indecency Legislation
13th -  Stevens Calls for FCC to Revisit Number Portability Rules
12th -  Senate Panel to Hear Testimony on Rail Safety Improvements
12th -  Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Preparation for DTV Transition
12th -  Stevens and Inouye Introduce Bill to Expand Number Portability Rules
12th -  Pryor, Stevens, Dodd Lead Charge to Prevent Pool Accidents
11th -  DOT Deputy Secretary, NASA CFO, Asst. Secretary of Commerce Nominees to Testify Before Commerce Committee
11th -  Commerce Committee to Explore Protecting Children on the Internet
11th -  Commerce Committee to Examine Federal Response to Unsafe Chinese Imports
9th -  Senate Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Number Portability Hearing
9th -  Aviation Subcommittee to Hold Rural Air Service Hearing
6th -  Commerce Committee to Examine U.S. Weather and Environmental Satellite Programs
6th -  Senate Commerce Committee Announces Number Portability Hearing
 
Audio Clip icon Audio Clip | Video Clip icon Video Clip
Public Information Office: 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Tel: 202-224-5115
Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Home | Text Only | Site Map | Help/Faqs | Search | Contact
Privacy Policy | Best Viewed | Plug-Ins
Back to TopBack to Top