FCC Orders Retailers to Warn About Analog TVs As Digital Transition Draws Closer

By Spencer D. Chin

TMCnet Web Editor

 

Although it is a foregone conclusion that traditional analog TV broadcasts will be history when broadcasters complete their transmission to digital broadcasting in early 2009 under a Federal Communications Commission mandate, the Commission continues to be in a nervous mood as concerns about consumer preparedness for the transition mount.

 

Earlier this week, the Commission sought to address possible complications resulting from buying analog-only TVs, by issuing an order requiring retailers to clearly alert consumers of the limitations of buying a TV containing only an analog tuner. Retailers would be required to display an alert stating the TV has only an analog broadcast tuner and would require a converter box after Feb. 17, 2009 to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna, when the U.S. officially converts to all digital broadcasting.

 

The alert would also state that analog TVs should continue to work with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, and DVD players.

 

A statement by FCC (News - Alert) chairman Kevin Martin said the order was issued to address the issue of retailers trying to sell off their inventories of analog-only TVs while helping further educate consumers of the digital TV transition.

 

Ironically, cable subscribers could present the FCC with one of the biggest quandaries involved with the digital TV transition. The Commission is seeking input from the public on how best to ensure that an estimated 32 million households can still view these stations following the digital TV transition, according to an Associated Press report.

 

By law, cable operators' subscribers must be able to view all local broadcast stations.

The Associated Press report said the FCC has considered requiring cable companies to carry both analog and digital signals. However, cable providers have blasted that proposal on the grounds it is government interference, according to the report.

 

Kyle McSlarrow, president and chief executive of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, was quoted as saying the plan was unconstitutional.

 

Though cable operators have stated they would ensure their subscribers would be able to view digital TV broadcasts on their sets, it remains to be seen how that task would be accomplished.