Consumers unaware of digital TV change

CONSUMERS UNAWARE OF DIGITAL TV CHANGE
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune, AUTHOR: Mark Chediak]
About one out of every 10 Americans relies on an analog set with rabbit ears to watch free, over-the-air broadcasts. Those sets will go dark in 2009 without a converter box or a satellite or cable hookup. The Federal Communications Commission recently told retailers they had until May 25 to label analog TVs with a "consumer alert" to inform shoppers about the need for special equipment beginning Feb. 18, 2009, when the all-digital rule takes effect. said the move was necessary because voluntary efforts by stores and television-makers were not working. "Each of these sets is a ticking time-bomb for 2009, requiring consumers to go to significant trouble and expense if they want to continue receiving over-the-air television," FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mon_digital_tv_06-04jun04,0,2...

For more on the DTV transition see --
* Getting to February 2009: Implementing the Digital TV Transition
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/1340
* Getting to February 2009: Outstanding DTV Transition Issues
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/1261