Senators Worried About TV 'Train Wreck'

[Terri]

By JOHN DUNBAR
Associated Press
July 27, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- On Feb. 18, 2009, tens of millions of televisions that are not equipped to receive digital signals will become useless pieces of furniture. The government is spending $5 million to let owners know so they can do something about it -- not enough, critics say.

While the government has committed $1.5 billion for viewers to spend on converter boxes that will translate digital signals for older televisions, it is largely relying on the broadcast industry to spread the word about the changeover.

John Kneuer, chief of the federal agency tasked with ensuring a smooth digital transition, told the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday that the government will be leaning heavily on broadcasters.

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[Melissa47]

What kind of prosperity must the USA have that we worry about 'the poor' not having TV??
Think about it - is it really a gov't responsibility to make sure everyone can have access to TV? It's nice, but is it a "right"? Aren't there more important things?
Amazing what the Senators worry about ~ maybe they should worry a little more about securing our borders than our abilities to watch TV.

[Bigdog]

Why is it necessary to spend all that taxpayer money to 'inform' folks about a changeover that has been in the works, and has been publicly talked about, for more than 15 years?

[HiWarp]

Ah yes, I'm glad the Senate is occupied with the important issues of our time.

Amazing what the Senators worry about ~ maybe they should worry a little more about securing our borders than our abilities to watch TV.

You assume they actually WANT to secure our borders.

Why is it necessary to spend all that taxpayer money to 'inform' folks about a changeover that has been in the works, and has been publicly talked about, for more than 15 years?

Because it's the government. Wouldn't you spend money on useless items if you had a bottomless coffer of money that didn't come out of your pocket?

[cgretired]

Why?

Please answer that basic question. Why?

Why are we going to spend over a billion of our taxpayer dollars to help out the entertainment industry? Help out the cable industry? Why? With cable rates the way they are.. we only have one cable provider in our area, so they are basically a monopoly. So, we are going to be forced by this monopoly to go out and buy at least a cable converter box, or perhaps a new television set that costs quite a bit of money.. do do what? See what we already are paying for? To pay more to a monopoly for something that we already have?

In the entire scheme of things.. on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being all out thermal-nuclear war, where does this fit into the scheme of things? Why the emphasis on entertainment and high-definition digital television?

We really have lost the perspective on what is really important in life.

I do believe we are doomed. Liberals on one side, and absolute nonesense on the other side pushing digital television on someone that absolutely does not care and is perfectly satisfied with what I see and hear already.

Can someone answer why?

Don't give me this crap about enhancing television, or bettering the bandwidth of cable systems. We pay already for poor service, poor response from cable companies, and lousy service from our senators and congressmen... lets add more complexity to a system that is basically broke.

Jeech.. what is the deal.. where are the priorities now.. cable television? Jeech..

[Cynical Pete]

More of Big Business messing over the masses in the name of progress. For example: Microsoft comes out with a version of windows. Works OK. then a new version making the present obsolete with no more support. On and on making themselves billionaires at the expense of the general public. I can't buy any video for my VHS or regular tapes of my favorite music, all CDs now. The gouging goes on.

[ontopofit]

Geez, with all they have to spend money on.

The cable companies have the obligation to protect their monopoly. The federal government should spend money to inform people of important things.

I don't know why we have to have this digital TV anyway. Has anyone traced the money?

Personally, I will chuck my rabbit ears and not miss TV for one minute!

[studebaker51]

I guess I'm "technically challenged", because I don't understand WHY the "need" to change TV signals...except to force people to buy new, more expensive television sets.

With all of the trash on TV nowadays, I don't really need to see or hear it more clearly.

[gfafblifr]

From my point of view, the cable and stellite subscribers will be unaffected until a new tv is needed. However, those who receive their signal over the air will be required to get a converter box. For some reason, I don't feel they should be required to spend personal funds due to such a governmental decision. After all, those folks do need a babysitter to indoctrinate their babies into the liberal lifestyle.

As for advertising this change, why should the government pay to advertise it? It seems to me that the tv stations should do it gratis for their own benefit. If the folks can't watch their advertising, how can the stations charge the businesses for their advertising?

Just some thoughts on the matter.

[january1934]

To Studebaker51 and cgretired

I concur with what each of you have said. I am perfectly satisfied with my cable TV the way it is....I get the programs I want and the picture is perfect.

I read some years ago, that all new TVs will have some kind of modem inside that the government can instantly turn on your set and talk to you about anything and it will have nothing to do with TV stations giving "special alerts" and/or public service announcements.

In my opinion, this is just another way the governemtn is meddling in our private affairs. by forcing us consumers to buy converters and/or digital boxes....which incidently, I sure can't afford right now.

Heck, if they have that kind of money to waste, why not give some back to the consumer. I could sure use some.