U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement today upon the release of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report “Digital Television Transition: Majority of Broadcasters Are Prepared for the DTV Transition, but Some Technical and Coordination Issues Remain.”

“While I welcome the GAO report’s overall findings that a majority of stations are reasonably well prepared for the coming DTV transition, I believe that a closer examination of the report’s statistics reveal that there remain a number of hurdles for industry to overcome.

“In particular, due to the nature of the transition process as mandated by the FCC, a number of stations presently simulcasting in digital will need to make channel changes to ensure continued digital broadcasting post-transition. This suggests that there is the potential for significant technical issues as the hard deadline is reached. For example, some stations may need to significantly reduce or even stop analog broadcasts in advance of February 17, 2009. Such early termination may confuse consumers and leave them scrambling for converter boxes before the end of the transition. The FCC will need to work very closely with broadcasters to ensure consumers are educated about how the decisions of their local broadcasters will impact them.

“Finally, I would note my ongoing and deep concern that while industry is, at a minimum, fully informed of the upcoming transition and aware of the potential pitfalls, the same cannot be said for consumers. Far too many Americans are unaware of or unprepared for February 17, 2009. As this report demonstrates, there is no one-size fits all message that will adequately educate consumers. It is imperative that all stakeholders in the DTV transition, both public and private, work together to ensure that local communities are fully informed and prepared for the transition, and that no consumer is left in the dark.”

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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

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