As Countdown to DTV Transition Continues, Civil Rights Group & Consumer Advocates Discuss Next Steps for Millions of Households

As the countdown to the digital switch continues and in the wake of recent news that the government has reached its coupon funding ceiling, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) and Consumers Union held a press conference call today to discuss steps consumers need to take to navigate the digital television transition that will occur on February 17. 

“This is not about access to entertainment,” said LCCR president Wade Henderson. “It’s about access to life-saving public service announcements.  It’s about letting communities know when a hurricane is about to strike, a snowstorm threatens a white out, a fire is blazing toward it, or there is a natural or national disaster.”

Of the 21 million households that rely on over-the-air television, nearly half have incomes under $30,000 and an estimated one-third or more over-the-air viewers are people with disabilities.

“During these difficult economic times, many people are worried that they may need to buy an expensive new television or subscribe to a paid service, such as cable,” said Mark Lloyd, LCCREF vice president of Strategic Initiatives. “They don’t.  But they do need to get a converter box. If they haven’t already signed up for the government coupon program, that provides a discount on the converter box, people should get on the new waiting list now.” 

“We know leaders on the Hill are working hard to find additional funding to make sure that everyone who needs a coupon can get a coupon,” added Henderson.

“Retailers must also act responsibly by stocking affordable converter boxes,” said Joel Kelsey, a policy analyst at Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Report.  Kelsey also advised retailers to stock converter boxes that include features critical to viewers with disabilities such as closed captioning.

Converter boxes cost approximately $40 to $70. The converter box is a one-time cost. It does not come with any monthly fees. There are more than 20 approved digital converter boxes with varying features – some are better suited to rural areas while others may be better for people with disabilities or those who rely on closed captioning. For more information on converter box options, go to ConsumersUnion.org

For more information, visit www.DTV2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).