Television's big switch-over

TELEVISION'S BIG SWITCH-OVER
[SOURCE: The Christian Science Monitor, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] On Feb. 17, 2009, it could snow all across America. Not outside, but in living rooms, on TV sets. That's the date when broadcasters will switch to digital transmission, rendering millions of standard analog TVs useless. Consumers can avoid this whiteout, but only if they're prepared. And there's the challenge: How to inform the roughly 20 million households relying exclusively on analog sets that pull in their reception for free, through rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna. Analog TVs that receive cable or satellite will not be affected. Consumers who own these sets don't necessarily need to know why the federal government is mandating the change (to free up the airwaves for other purposes, such as wireless and public-safety communications ­ though added benefits are better pictures and more channels). But they do need consistent and unbiased information on what to do and they need to be able to act on it. More than anything, what's needed is oversight and coordination of the conversion. Congress should designate one of the two government agencies involved in this project to take the lead, or empower an independent group to oversee the transition.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1009/p08s01-comv.html

* Mandated DTV Education Rules are Dumb Idea
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Harry A. Jessell]
[Commentary] Democrats have to accept the fact that some folks are not going to understand that their over-the-air analog signals are going until after they are gone. So, if they want to help, they should make sure coupons and converter boxes are available after the cut-off.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/09/daily.2/