After pulling data indicating that a recent TV-station blackout increased digital-to-analog converter box coupon requests, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Friday voiced support for a retransmission-consent quiet period to limit potential confusion and service disruptions during the all-digital TV transition next February. In a letter to Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA), the NTIA seemingly endorsed the initiation of a carriage agreement quiet period for cable operators and broadcasters during the time before and after the February DTV transition to avoid public confusion that could cause added strain on the government's transition assistance program. In the missive, NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Meredith Attwell Baker said, "a retransmission consent 'quiet period' would be helpful in reducing consumer confusion during the DTV transition." NTIA's Baker did not say when the quiet period should begin or end. Cable wants it to start no later than Dec. 31 before thousands of current contracts expire.
