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Press Release

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2008
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

***PRESS CONFERENCES WEDNESDAY***
Upton Marks 6 Months Until Transition to Digital Television
Rep. working to increase awareness, wants to ensure everyone is prepared for upcoming transition

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, August 20th, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) will visit two local Best Buys to help raise awareness on the upcoming transition to digital television on February 17, 2008. Upton wants to ensure that individuals who use an antenna to watch TV on a set that has an analog tuner – and do not subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay TV service – are aware that they will need to upgrade to digital television by February 17, 2009. As Chairman of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, Upton coauthored the law mandating the transition to digital and helped put together the coupon program that allows all households in the country with over-the-air broadcasting to be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used towards the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes. As of August 12th, over 989,000 individuals in Michigan had requested a coupon for a converter box. To request a coupon, folks can visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009.

NOTE: The backdrop at both store locations will be columns of digital televisions as well as converter boxes. There will also be demonstrations connecting a converter box to an analog set.

All members of the media are strongly encouraged to attend.

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