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Klobuchar Introduces Resolution Designating August "DTV Awareness Month''

Resolution would raise consumer awareness of analog- to- digital TV switch

May 23, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and 28 Senate cosponsors to introduce a Senate resolution today making August “DTV Awareness Month.”  The resolution seeks to heighten consumer awareness about the transition to digital television and encourage consumers to participate in the federal government’s coupon program for obtaining converter boxes.  The measure also urges local nonprofit organizations to educate local communities about the switch.

Recent studies have indicated that a majority of consumers have major misconceptions about the impact of the February 2009 transition. Tens of millions of TV sets nationwide will be affected by the change to digital broadcasting, including 430,000 households in Minnesota. 

“Preparing for the digital transition is especially important for Minnesota consumers.” Klobuchar said. “Statewide, more than 21 percent of our households depend exclusively on over-the-air broadcast TV.  That is one of the highest percentages in the country.”

“We need to clear up any distorted views or misconceptions consumers have about the switch, especially among our most vulnerable populations such as senior citizens and low-income and minority households," Senator Hatch said.

Senator Klobuchar partnered with Minnesota-based retailer Best Buy and officials from the Minnesota AARP and the Minnesota Broadcasters Association earlier this year to help raise awareness of the upcoming switch to DTV.  Late last month, Senator Klobuchar’s staff made visits to seven Minnesota cities to educate consumers about the transition.  Many of the visits included employees from electronics retailers to explain and demonstrate the switch to DTV.

Senator Klobuchar has also created a special section on her Senate website (www.klobuchar.senate.gov) to provide detailed guidance to consumers about the transition. 

The digital transition, due to take effect on February 17, 2009, will not directly affect digitally-equipped TV sets or TV sets connected to cable or satellite service.  However, it is estimated there are more than 30 million analog TV sets in homes that depend entirely on over-the-air broadcasts.

To adapt to the digital transition, there are three options for people who currently have analog TV sets that receive over-the-air broadcast signals:  Add a digital converter box for the analog TV set; purchase a digitally-equipped TV set; or subscribe to a cable or satellite TV service.

Congress created a fund to help consumers with special coupons to offset the cost of purchasing digital converter boxes. The small boxes, expected to sell for $40-$70, connect to a TV set and converts the digital broadcast signals to analog.

Consumers can request a coupon worth $40 to be used toward the purchase of a converter box.  Each household can receive up to two coupons.  The coupon must be used within three months of being issued.  The coupon can be used at a wide variety of consumer electronics retailers.

The application for these coupons is available on Klobuchar’s Senate website at www.Klobuchar.senate.gov.


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