Rep. Towns & Leading Civic Organizations Join to Educate Brooklyn about Upcoming Digital TV Transition

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2008
For more information, contact:
Frankie Miranda, Hispanic Federation
(212) 333-8955 or fmiranda@hispanicfederation.org

FCC Mandate Requires Switch from Analog to Digital Television, Could Impact Minority, Low-Income, and Senior Residents of Brooklyn

Brooklyn,NY - With the nation's upcoming switch from analog to digital television (DTV) approaching, Congressman Edophus "Ed" Towns, Time Warner Cable, Hispanic Federation, A. Philip Randolph Institute, local community leaders and civic organizations today announced a joint campaign for Brooklyn and its surrounding areas. Over the coming weeks, the leaders will be working to educate millions of local residents about steps they may need to take to prevent their televisions from going "dark" after the transition.

The switch occurs on February 17, 2009, and according to Representative Towns, awareness of the issue is not where it needs to be. He encouraged Brooklyn residents to act sooner rather than later. "We are fighting against some difficult obstacles. Millions of consumers are still either unaware of the digital transition or confused about what it means and are not taking the necessary actions to prevent their TVs from going dark," added Towns.

Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, President of the Hispanic Federation, Stressed the importance to provide more information to viewers about the transition process. "Of the 21 million households depending on analog signal to view television, one third are Hispanics. Other groups that could be seriously affected are low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. We are working together to inform viewers of their options so they are prepared for the digital transition."

Marion Boykin of Time Warner urged people to check their televisions. "If your TV set is connected to cable or satellite service, you won't experience any disruption. However, if your television uses 'rabbit ears' or a rooftop antenna to receive over-the-air signals, you'll need to obtain a separate digital-to-analog converter box or upgrade to a new 'digital' TV set."

The education initiative will remind Brooklyn residents that free coupons, valued at $40, are available from the government to help in the process, and each household can receive up to two. Once a household receives the coupons, they need to be used within 90 days.

For further information on "DTV" transition please visit http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html