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Megan Pollock tel: 703-907-7668 e-mail: mpollock@CE.org |
CEA COMMENDS CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER’S DEDICATION TO A SUCCESSFUL DTV TRANSITION
CEA Remains Committed to Award-Winning DTV Education Initiatives
| Arlington, Virginia | 3/13/2008 |
In a speech today before the Media Institute in Washington, D.C., Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) emphasized the importance of consumer education to the nation’s successful transition to digital television (DTV). Noting that the DTV transition date of February 17, 2009, is firm and will not be moved, Congressman Boucher called on all industries to increase consumer education activities.
The following comment can be attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®:
“We thank Congressman Boucher for his dedication to the firm DTV transition date, and we commend his leadership in promoting consumer education. We agree with Congressman Boucher on the widespread societal benefits of DTV, and we will do our utmost to ensure a smooth and consumer-friendly DTV transition. We recognize and understand that policymakers desire to minimize any DTV-related disruptions to their constituents. We take these issues seriously and remain committed with all other involved industries to make sure no Americans lose service because they were not aware of the transition or their options.
“As structured by Congress, the transition converter box program is focused on ensuring that the 11 percent of American households (fewer than 13 million households) that do not currently have cable or satellite are not disenfranchised. Our research finds that less than half of those over-the-air households – about 6 million households – intend to purchase a converter box, which should allow for a plentiful supply of coupons for even those households that do have cable and satellite that are interested in converter box coupons.
“The 11 percent of Americans that rely on over-the-air broadcasting exclusively can also continue, absent exceptional circumstances, to use their antennas if their local broadcasters maintain the existing coverage areas. More information is available at www.antennaweb.org, a consumer education site jointly sponsored by CEA and NAB.
“We are currently unaware of DTV converter box installation or antenna problems, but we will monitor this situation and expand or modify education and resources for this as appropriate.”
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $161 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.
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CEA COMMENDS CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER’S DEDICATION