Like my Variety-styled headline? It's the only Spanish I know. But here's the letter from the Consumer Electronics Assn. pointing out that Spanish-language TV is getting a 2-year exemption to the digital transition.
July 17, 2006
Dear Senator:
On behalf of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), I thank you for your efforts to make the transition to digital television a long-awaited reality. When President Bush signed into law the "Deficit Reduction Act of 2005", we took a giant step forward on the 20-year road toward an all-digital future. CEA and our 2,100 member companies have long supported a hard cut-off date for analog broadcasts to provide certainty to manufacturers, retailers, consumers and all others with a stake in the transition.
Today, I am writing to express concern about language in S.2686, the "Communications, Consumers' Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006", as reported out of the Senate Commerce Committee on June 28, 2006. Contained within this important legislation is language pertaining to the DTV transition which could stall our tremendous progress.
As currently written, S.2686 provides an additional two years for Spanish-language analog stations within 50 miles of the U.S border to complete the transition to digital broadcasting. While the rest of the nation is on track to meet the February 17, 2009 date for completing the transition, this group of stations would be permitted to retain their analog channels until February 17, 2011. CEA and our members believe that this exception to the long-awaited hard date sets the wrong tone for consumers and the public interest.
Multiple industries and consumer groups have joined together to advocate the prompt recovery of the 700 MHz band currently occupied by analog broadcasters. Broadcasters have promised to vacate analog frequencies, allowing the spectrum to be recovered so that public interest benefits and national security protections may ensue. Further, new uses of the analog spectrum will spur economic growth by driving innovation in the wireless arena. These new wireless services will offer unprecedented access to rural and underserved areas, while creating competition that will drive down prices for all wireless consumers.
As we enter another hurricane season, we must ensure progress in recovering the 700 MHz band, as these frequencies are essential to the swift and effective response of Homeland Security, police, firefighters, and other first responders.
The public deserves the benefits that a prompt and expected return of the analog broadcast spectrum will offer. Therefore, we strongly urge you to oppose any measures to delay the complete transition to digital broadcasting as currently written in S.2686.
Sincerely,
Gary Shapiro
President and CEO
Gee, if the spanish language broadcasters get a 2 year delay, what's to stop the rest of them throughout the country to sue the FCC on this & demand the same delay, claiming a 14th Amendment violation [equal protection under the law].
Posted by: Garry | July 17, 2006 at 03:44 PM