DTV – ACT NOW!
November 14, 2008 |
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By Bhavna Bhatia
When you hear the word “museum”, what is the first thing you think of? Old? History? Boring?
Although the Newseum houses the history of journalism, media, television, and technology, it is a truly inspiring take on conventional repositories of history. This lofty platinum building, with its high glass ceilings, long windows, and contemporary style décor, would convert anyone to become a history lover.
At the Newseum on Monday, November 10, CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro and other industry and government leaders kicked off “the 100-day countdown” to the next major historic turning point, the digital transition.
On February 17, 2009, all full-power television station will switch from analog to all-digital broadcasting. Government officials, industry leaders and consumer groups that originally collaborated two years ago when the digital transition efforts began, spoke today to ensure that they are, and will continue to, work hard to increase awareness as the transition enters its final phase.
Attendees included Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Guitierrez, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell, our very own CEO Gary Shapiro, and many other industry and consumer group leaders. These leaders collaborated not only to educate the nation on the benefits of DTV, but also to spread a new message: ACT NOW!
According to statistics presented by Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, there is only a 50 percent redemption rate of converter box coupons. This means that people are not acting! For the next 100 days, industry leaders will reorient their message to urge consumers to ACT NOW, to sign up for their converter box coupons, get their cable subscriptions, and be prepared for the transition!
Efforts made by these organizations to help prepare the nation can be found everywhere. To get quick tips on how to prepare for the transition, visit www.digitaltips.org. Or if you want to know whether your rabbit ears will sufficiently carry a digital signal after the transition, visit www.antennaweb.org. Many cities around the nation are running trial transitions that will allow constituents to determine whether or not their television set will work after February 17. The NTIA provides a schedule for these trial transitions here.
In 100 days, our nation will make the next historical addition to the gallery at the Newseum, make sure you are ready!
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November 14th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
[...] writer wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptOn February 17, 2009, all full-power television station will switch from analog to all-digital broadcasting. Government officials, industry leaders and consumer groups that originally collaborated two years ago when the digital … [...]