Administration and Congress

Carlos M. Gutierrez, U.S. Secretary of Commerce

"I applaud the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's $200 million English and Spanish consumer education efforts to inform the public about the transition to digital television on February 17, 2009.  This is exactly the cooperation needed to help the public become more aware of their options for transitioning way in advance.

"I encourage all Americans to begin seeking out information about the transition to digital television."

Senator Claire McCaskill, (D-MO), Member, Senate Commerce Committee

“The best way to educate consumers about changes to their TVs is over TV.  With coupons for converter boxes available in just four months, public service announcements need to begin now.  I’m pleased the cable industry has stepped up to the plate and understands the urgency of the situation.  In the absence of strong leadership from the FCC, I urge broadcasters and satellite providers to follow in the cable industry’s lead by beginning their television education campaigns quickly.”

Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), Member, Senate Commerce Committee and Chairman, Republican High Tech Task Force

"Snow is fine in February just not on your TV.  It's important for consumers to know now that the transition is coming."

Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce

 “I applaud the cable industry for the significant campaign it announced today to educate the public about the DTV transition. Ensuring a successful transition must be one of our nation’s top priorities, and it is incumbent upon the government, industry and the public interest community to educate consumers about how to be prepared. Cable operators are to be commended for being at the forefront of that effort, and I would hope to see others follow their lead in short order.”

Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet

“Today’s pledge by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association to immediately launch a multifaceted consumer education campaign that includes a $200 million television advertising commitment has provided high-definition clarity to an indispensable element to any successful DTV transition – generating consumer awareness.  I urge other industry groups to similarly commence action on their own consumer education efforts as soon as possible.”

Rep. Joe Barton, (R-TX), Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee
and
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet

“Thanks to the cable TV industry for beginning to educate not just cable customers, but everyone with a television about the coming transition to digital TV.

“We’ve still got more than a year before the change, but it’s important to make certain that all television viewers understand the implications when broadcasters switch from the old analog system to digital TV.

“The transition will do everything from sweeping away the fuzz in your TV signal to unleashing a tidal wave of new services. Most importantly, it will clear additional airwaves so police, firefighters and ambulance crews can better talk to each other in an emergency. The strongest supporters of the transition, in fact, are the emergency workers who were left to grope through the chaos of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina when they literally couldn’t talk to one another by radio.

“So we commend the cable industry today for doing the right thing. The more people know about the DTV switch and the sooner they know about it, the better.”

Rep. Mike Ferguson, (R-NJ), Member, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet

“I would like to recognize and commend NCTA on their first out-of- the- box DTV consumer education campaign.  It’s in both Congress and industry's interest that the DTV Transition goes smoothly and efficiently, and that no viewers are left behind.  Cable has taken a strong lead, presenting a comprehensive, multi-pronged consumer education campaign that aims to ensure that all Americans, whether they subscribe to cable or receive over-the-air signals, will be educated to help make a seamless transition to digital programming.”

Organizations

Gary Shapiro, President and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

“The nation’s transition to digital television, the most vital technological development of this decade, is underway and on schedule. We applaud the cable industry’s impressive new consumer education initiative. We are proud to partner with our cable friends, through the DTV Transition Coalition and CEA’s own extensive education efforts, to ensure that all Americans have the necessary information about the DTV transition. We are particularly pleased that our cable partners are starting this campaign today. We also look forward to working with our broadcast partners when they begin utilizing their valuable airwaves to inform consumers about the transition.”

Brent Wilkes, Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

“NCTA’s $200 million advertisement campaign to educate consumers about the digital television transition speaks volumes about the organization’s commitment to ensuring that people of all communities can participate in America’s digital future.  The digital TV transition will increase channel space, allow for more HD channels and even potentially make room for new broadband deployment.  However, low-income and minority communities are particularly at risk of having analog TV sets go dark as we switch to a digital platform.  The fact that the NCTA has chosen to air Spanish language advertisements demonstrates that the cable industry values our community and is working to help Latinos take full advantage of the expanded choices and new services offered by digital television.”

Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, President, Hispanic Federation

“Through this massive consumer education campaign that features both English and Spanish language advertisements, the cable industry is taking the lead in ensuring that everyone makes a clean switch to digital television.  As new programming catering towards Latinos continues to flourish, we are proud to say that the Hispanic community is being recognized as a critical part of mainstream America and that Latinos are central to the future of digital TV.”

Niel Ritchie, Executive Director, League of Rural Voters

“This is a significant development for the nation’s digital transition that will mean real benefits for the public – rural areas in particular.  Consumer education is the lynchpin that will determine whether we have a smooth transition to the digital era, and NCTA has really set the bar high in terms of its commitment.  It is critical that we all share in the great benefits the nation’s digital transition promises – consumer choice, broadband deployment, innovation – but we can only do so if everyone is a part of it. Rural communities are at heightened risk when the nation’s analog broadcasts are shut off in 2009, so commitments to public awareness of the magnitude NCTA has announced – $200 million in advertising on both cable and broadcast television – are welcome and should be applauded.”

Manuel Mirabal, Founder and Co-Chair, Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP)

“Because the Hispanic households rely so heavily on over-the-air television, it will face a disproportionate impact when analog service ends.  By committing to air hundreds of millions in advertising in both English and Spanish, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) is helping to ensure that the Hispanic community receives the information they need to make decisions about how they will handle the digital transition. I have stated on numerous occasions that we must recognize that the Hispanic community has unique characteristics that will require special educational efforts to ensure that they have continuous access to television service. Today’s announcement by NCTA is a significant step towards in the right direction.”

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