Nationwide FCC DTV Outreach Tour

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin announced a nationwide initiative to increase awareness about the upcoming transition to digital television. The FCC identified target television markets for specific DTV outreach, including all those markets in which more than 100,000 households or at least 15% of the households rely solely on over-the-air signals for television. Chairman Martin announced that the five FCC Commissioners and other Commission staff will fan out to these and other markets to raise awareness and educate consumers in the days leading up to the digital television transition on February 17, 2009. At each stop, there will be a public event, such as a town hall meeting, workshop, or roundtable with an FCC Commissioner to highlight the digital transition, and be available to local press. In coordination with these visits, the FCC will work with local broadcasters and radio stations to increase the broadcasts of Radio and TV DTV PSAs. All combined, this outreach is designed to educate consumers in these DMAs and especially those groups that are most vulnerable in the transition: Seniors, People Living Tribal and Rural Areas, People with Disabilities, Individuals with Low-Incomes, Minorities and Non-English Speakers. The FCC also launched a Speakers Bureau for groups throughout the country to request speakers to discuss the upcoming transition to Digital Television (DTV) at their meetings. To request a speaker, go to the FCC's DTV website, www.dtv.gov, and click on "Request a Speaker," or contact Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511, or rosemary.kimball@fcc.gov