United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science & Transportation
Home | Graphics On | Site Map | Text Size: A A A Search : + Advanced Search
 
Press 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 »
 
September 2008 Press Releases  « August | October »   « 2007 | 2009 » 
 
18th -  Senator Hutchison Calls for Improved Bus Safety Standards
 
18th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing
 
18th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing
 
17th -  Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Privacy Issues Related to Broadband Service Providers
 
16th -  Senator Hutchison Commends Dept. of Commerce for Helping Nursing Homes with DTV Converter Box Program
 
16th -  Inouye Calls for Immediate Passage of S.1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act
 
16th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Bus Safety Hearing
 
12th -  Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Nominees
 
12th -  Commerce Committee to Review Progress of DTV Transition with FCC, NTIA
 
12th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
 
11th -  Commerce Committee Releases MARAD Bill Financial Disclosure Certification
 
11th -  Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas
 
10th -  Senator Hutchison Cosponsors Calling Card Legislation to Help Consumers
 
9th -  Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
 
8th -  Commerce Committee to Examine Marine Protected Areas
 
8th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing
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 | Privacy Policy | Graphics On | Site Map | Help/Faqs | Search
Back to TopBack to Top