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Resolution in
support of
Television Consumers
in the Broadcast
Digital (“DTV”)Transition
WHEREAS, in 1996
Congress mandated
that full power over-the-air
broadcast television
stations return the
analog spectrum they
are currently using
to the federal
government, and
begin broadcasting
exclusively in
digital format
effective February
17, 2009, an event
known as the
“Broadcast Digital
Television (‘DTV’)
Transition”;.
AND WHEREAS, to
facilitate the
transition to
digital television,
Congress loaned each
full powered
television
broadcaster an extra
channel of spectrum,
so that a digital
format could be
broadcast
simultaneously with
the analog format
until the 2009
transition is
complete; at that
time the analog
channel would be
returned to the
government either
for resale or for
enhance
communications for
emergency services
providers like
police, fire and
emergency rescue;
AND WHEREAS, the
transition from
analog to digital
signal represents
the most significant
advance in
television
technology since the
introduction of
color television in
the 1960s;
AND WHEREAS, the
benefits of digital
television are clear:
sharper pictures,
superior sound
quality, and
additional
programming choices;
AND WHEREAS, the DTV
Transition requires
all full power over-the-air
broadcast television
stations nationwide
to convert their
service from the old
method of
transmitting TV
signals known as
“analog” to the new
“digital” format as
of February 17,
2009, and to cease
providing analog
services as of that
date;
AND WHEREAS, any TV
set that is not
connected to cable
or another video
service, or does not
have a built in
digital tuner, will
need to be equipped
with a
“digital-to-analog
converter box” to
continue receiving
and displaying local
broadcast TV
stations after the
DTV Transition
occurs.
AND WHEREAS, the
federal government
is offering
consumers $40
coupons to be
applied toward the
purchase of these
converter boxes;
however, these
coupons are
available on a first
come first serve
basis up to a
maximum of two per
household capped at
a national outlay of
$1.5 billion. There
are an estimated 48
million homes that
rely on roof-top or
“rabbit ear”
antennas for their
television reception.
AND WHEREAS, it is
anticipated that
millions of
residents may not be
aware of the
availability of
these coupons for
analog televisions
they own that will
cease to work on
February 17, 2009
unless they are
connected to a
”digital-to-analog
converter box”;
AND WHEREAS, we are
aware that any older
analog TV set that a
consumer has
connected to the
local cable system
will continue to
receive local
broadcast TV signals
after the DTV
Transition, but
millions of
Americans own
televisions not
connected to cable
or another video
service and will
require
“digital-to-analog
converter boxes” to
work properly.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, (Municipality,
County) urges all
residents to become
more informed about
the upcoming DTV
Transition and to
apply for their $40
discount coupons by
either calling the
Coupon Program 24-hour
hotline at 1-888-DTV-2099
(1-888-388-2099) (voice)
or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY)
or by visiting https://www.dtv2009.gov,
and further, to
assist their
neighbors and fellow
residents, such as
senior citizens and
those with
disabilities, to do
the same.
AND, BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that a copy
of this resolution
shall be certified
and forwarded to all
local media and the
State Municipal
Organization.
This resolution
was adopted on April
26, 2008, at the
NHCSL Executive
Committee & BBA
Meeting in
Washington, D.C.
Representative
Joseph E. Miró (DE)
NHCSL President |
