Transition to Digital Television: Is America Ready (Updated November 6, 2007)

摘要

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171) directs that on February 18, 2009, over-the-air television broadcasts which are currently provided by television stations in both analog and digital formats will become digital only. Digital television (DTV) technology allows a broadcaster to offer a single program stream of high definition television (HDTV), or alternatively, multiple video program streams (multicasts). Households with over-the-air analog-only televisions will no longer be able to receive television service unless they either: (1) buy a digital-toanalog converter box to hook up to their analog television set; (2) acquire a digital television or an analog television equipped with a digital tuner; or (3) subscribe to cable, satellite, or telephone company television services, which will likely provide for the conversion of digital signals to their analog customers. Households using analog televisions for viewing over-the-air television broadcasts are likely to be most affected by the digital transition. Of particular concern to many policymakers are low-income, elderly, disabled, non-English speaking, and minority populations. Many of these groups tend to rely more on overthe- air television, and are thus more likely impacted by the digital transition. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 established a digital-to-analog converter box program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce that will partially subsidize consumer purchases of converter boxes. NTIA will provide up to two forty-dollar coupons to requesting U.S. households. The coupons are to be issued between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, and must be used within three months after issuance towards the purchase of a stand-alone device used solely for digital-toanalog conversion. The preeminent issue for Congress is ensuring that American households are prepared for the February 17, 2009 DTV transition deadline, thereby minimizing a scenario whereby television sets across the nation go dark. Specifically, Congress is actively overseeing the activities of federal agencies responsible for the digital transition principally the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the NTIA while assessing whether additional federal efforts are necessary, particularly with respect to public education and outreach. The Congress is also monitoring the extent to which private sector stakeholders take appropriate and sufficient steps to educate the public and ensure that all Americans are prepared for the digital transition. DTV- related bills, which address public education (H.R. 608, H.R. 2566, H.R. 2917, H.R. 3862, and S. 2125), have been introduced into the 110th Congress. At issue is whether the federal governments current programs and reliance on private sector stakeholders will lead to a successful digital transition with a minimum amount of disruption to American TV households or, alternatively, whether additional legislative measures are warranted. This report will be updated as events warrant.