Broadcasters: DTV PSA Mandate Unnecessary

BROADCASTERS: DTV PSA MANDATE UNNECESSARY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Broadcasters told the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee Wednesday that neither Congress nor the Federal Communications Commission needs to force broadcasters to air digital-TV-transition education public-service announcements. House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) praised the broadcasters' effort but also said it should include "a sufficient number of public-service announcements aired at times when they are most likely to be seen by viewers, including primetime." Broadcasters have said there would be primetime PSAs, but they would not quantify them, saying that the campaign was tailored to each market. He also said broadcasters were willing to report to the FCC quarterly and to modify the campaign if need be. Wednesday's hearing featured a variety of industry stakeholders, following up on an Oct. 17 hearing with government officials.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6496192.html?rssid=193

* Markey Holds 3rd DTV Hearing
"In a little over a year, millions of American consumers will find out if the digital television transition is a trick or a treat. Will stores trick them into buying equipment they don't need? In February 2009 will they see their screens summarily turn as black as a Halloween cat? Will they long for their old analog signal, even with its friendly ghosting? Or conversely, will it be a wonderful treat? Will it be a bagful full of digital delights - including the eye candy of a better, pristine picture, breathtaking high definition programming, or perhaps multiple streams of new services and channels?"
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3172&I...