Congressman Rick Boucher on the Digital TV Transition
The opening keynote for today (Thursday, April 3rd) welcomed the Honorable Rick Boucher (D-VA), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. We’ll share his views on the digital TV transition.
Congressman Boucher: On February 17, 2009, analog broadcasting will cease and all television broadcasts will be in digital format. That transition would not be occurring without this organization (CEA). You supported our efforts and let the benefits be known to the public.
Every step of the way, CEA was a vital force in making this transition happen. Gary (Shapiro) provided terrific leadership in that effort and we owe him many thanks. As of February 17, 2009, viewers are going to get better pictures with digital clarity. There will be more channel choices available and broadcasters can fit in more programs than in analog format.
The wireless spectrum auction freed up the 700 mhz block of spectrum which can be made available to first responders across the country so fire and rescue can interact with one another across the U.S. Spectrum will also be made available to commercial wireless providers. The government generated revenue of $19 billion from the auction, part of which funds the DTV converter box coupons for consumers.
As you can see, the public receives broad benefits.
But there are challenges.
Even the best of programs can be improved, and I think that there is always room for improvement.
Just to cover some basics:
Many Americans currently own analog sets and when the transition occurs some are going to have to take steps to continue to receive television.
Those connected to cable or satellite will be fine, and those who own a digital TV will be fine.
Congress set up a converter subsidy program - 1.5 billion dollars was allocated. With that, the U.S. Department of Commerce is making available to every home that applies, two coupons for $40 each, which can be turned in as partial payment for a converter box.
The FCC estimates that approximately 5 percent of over-the-air antennas will need to be replaced in order to receive digital broadcasts. The current budget does not allow for any allocation for education on the antenna issue or technical support for installation of converter boxes or antennas. I have a sense that the budget will need to be increased to make this transition possible.
The UK Case Study
In the United Kingdom, a country with about one-fifth of the population of the U.S., the government allocated about $600 million for public education on their digital switchover. Information was delivered to every home via direct mail, as well as TV and radio ads, newspaper inserts, etc. People are clearly made aware and nobody is uninformed. In the U.S., with 5 times he population, we allocated only $5 million to educate the public. It’s not quite as bleak as it sounds, because the broadcasters are putting out public ads. I appreciate what they are doing, but it could be somewhat self-serving. I think we’ll need more federal support for public education.
Let me briefly summarize what the UK did. I went to Whitehaven which was the first town to successfully implement the change. In the UK. They opted to switch market by market, and channel by channel. We have a universal switchover on one day - every market and every station. The other thing they did was appropriate $1.2 billion in government funds just for the Whitehaven switchover education and technical support. Part of this was via a $40 individual opt-in scheme which offers consumers technical assistance, and if you need it, help with replacing your outdoor antennae and assistance directly in your home. Their public education campaign was pervasive, everyone understood what to do and everyone was prepared.
By contrast, I think our program is going to leave some gaps.
We all have an interest in our transition going smoothly. If our constituents have these problems, then we have these problems as advocates of the transition. Think about rural constituents who cannot make the change, or who do not know about it.
Fair Use Laws
There are a few deeply held convictions in America and one of them is “the right to television”.
I am deeply committed in my support of HR-1201 that protects consumer’s “fair use” rights. We are determined to protect fair use and change a fundamental law. In 1998 Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act which is somewhat ambiguous and stifles innovation.
I am committed to reversing the Millennium Act and protecting fair use.
We put the digital transition into effect because of CEA’s leadership. We’ll also need CEA’s support through the transition.
Q & A
There followed questions from the audience to which Congressman Boucher responded.
Convert Your Mom
Gary Shapiro, CEA president and CEO thanked Congressman Boucher and announced CEA’s new public awareness campaign to help older Americans with the digital transition. The campaign is called “Convert Your Mom” and uses “TV Mom” Florence Henderson as a spokesperson. This will be in addition to the educational DTV Web site currently available.
Popularity: 89% [?]
