Brooklyn, New York—Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY, 10th), Chairman of the Government Management, Organization and Procurement Subcommittee, is holding a Congressional hearing on the 2009 transition to digital television on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Brooklyn Sports Club, located at 1540 Van Siclen Avenue near Starrett City.  WABC-TV Anchor Bill Ritter will testify about what local stations are doing to ensure area residents will not lose television coverage in February 2009.

“This new technology will transform television as we know it, providing an enhanced picture and sound quality and overall viewing experience” said Rep. Towns. “Many Brooklyn families in my district rely heavily on television for news, public safety announcements and entertainment. Without it, they are disconnected from current events, the community and, in some cases, society.”

On February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will stop broadcasting analog signals and complete the transition to digital broadcasting.  Televisions without digital tuners will require digital-to-analog converter boxes to receive these signals. Free federal vouchers are available to help households pay for these converter boxes.  Rep. Towns will review what the federal government has done to prepare Brooklyn residents for the transition and provide information on how citizens can receive $40 vouchers from the federal government.

Other witnesses include officials from the Federal Communications Commission, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  They will testify on their progress in preparing for the transition and answer questions from Members of Congress on the challenges that remain.

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