FCC Marshalls DTV Transition Forces With Drumbeats, Bootheels [Multichannel News]
We're nine days away and counting from the June 12th digital television transition, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to use the final hours before the transition to mobilize volunteers across the country to get every television viewing household ready for digital broadcasts. Yesterday, the FCC announced that AmeriCorps volunteers along with firefighters in cooperation with the International Association of Fire Chiefs will be available to provide in-home assistance on DTV issues to the approximately three million households that still haven't prepared for the transition.
Here's what FCC Chairman Michael Copps had to say about the agency's DTV mobilization plans:
“There is no doubt we’ve made significant progress in reducing the number of consumers unprepared for the transition, but our work is far from over. For many people, free, over-the-air television is their primary source of news, information and emergency alerts – not to mention entertainment. We will continue to do all that we can to find and assist these consumers in the final days before June 12.”
In addition to the DTV volunteers, the FCC is initiating a communications plan that involves daily messaging on the transition each day between now and the 12th. Those communications will serve as a final effort to get the word out to television viewers that they need to take steps to prepare for the transition, if they haven't already done so.
Under Chairman Copps, the FCC certainly is taking a leadership role in the final push to get every American ready for digital television.
If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you're well aware my standard DTV statement by now. As long as all the televisions in your home are connected to cable, then you're ready for the digital transition. If not, give us a call so that we can help you finish your preparations for digital television broadcasts. But hurry up! Time is running out quickly.
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