LCCR: "Serious Problems" with DTV Switch

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Monday applauded digital-TV-education efforts by broadcasters and the government but said problems remain -- including a lack of federal leadership, viewer confusion, upselling and a host of others -- that could keep "many" viewers, including minorities and the elderly and disabled, in the dark. The group pointed to what it said are "serious problems" with the transition and education efforts, which it said Congress needs to help solve with a more coordinated and better-funded effort. They included: Absence of clear federal leadership and a comprehensive transition plan; Lack of viewer awareness; Viewer and retailer confusion; TV converter-box-coupon-program problems and complexities; Excessive and unanticipated costs and burdens to viewers to make the transition; Loss of community television stations; Difficulties in procuring and attaching converter boxes; Reports of unnecessary retailer upselling; Difficulties for seniors and people with disabilities in accessing captioning and any available video description on digital converter, cable, or satellite boxes and finding converter boxes that support video description; and No rapid-response capability to deal with problems on and after Feb. 17, 2009. Their suggested remedies included Y2K-like planning; investing more government money in outreach, including home visits and more converter boxes per household; making more analog pass-through boxes available; and requiring converter boxes to be automatically upgradable via software.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6576007.html?rssid=193