Stevens to NTIA: Count Cable Homes

STEVENS TO NTIA: COUNT CABLE HOMES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
On Feb. 17, 2009, every TV station has to cease analog broadcasting, ending the so-called digital-TV transition. But potentially millions of analog TVs will be useless if not adapted to display digital signals. In the law enacted earlier this year, Congress set aside $1.5 billion to help defray the cost of digital-to-analog converter boxes, which allow TVs that rely exclusively on free, over-the-air signals to continue working. Under the law, each household is entitled to seek two coupons worth $40 each. In a surprise move, the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) said it wanted to limit coupon eligibility to broadcast-only homes, a proposal strongly opposed by the National Association of Broadcasters as contrary to law. But banning pay-TV homes from the program is opposed by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), a top Stevens aide said last week. “That’s not going to stand. We’re not doing that. We've told them that,” Commerce Committee staff director Lisa Sutherland, a top Stevens adviser, said.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6378960.html?display=Policy