Organizations Take a Hard Look at Americans Overlooked by the Digital Television Transition

Organizations Take a Hard Look at Americans Overlooked by the Digital Television Transition

Panelists to Address Digital Television Transition Shortfalls During June 11

Hill Event

Washington, DC, June 6, 2007 -- On Monday, June 11, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and THAT Corporation will take a hard look at the millions of low-income and minority communities who have been overlooked in governmental preparation for the digital television transition (DTV) during a one-hour roundtable discussion.

Previous DTV discussions have focused on the coupon program and meeting the stringent February 17, 2009 deadline. Although these are crucial elements of the program, for an estimated 75 million Americans there is even more at stake. For those Americans who cannot afford to purchase a new digital TV or subscribe to increasingly expensive paid-TV services like cable or satellite, coming home and tuning in to a favorite local station will no longer be a given.

Unfortunately, while government groups were focusing on the benefits of DTV, they were overlooking the television experience for many of America's low-income and minority communities.

   WHAT:   Capitol Hill panel discussion on the digital television transition           and its impact on low-income and minority communities    WHERE:  Longworth House Office Building           Room 1116    WHEN:   June 11, 2007           10:00AM    WHO:    *Jonathan Collegio, vice president DTV transition, NAB           *Anthony Wilhelm, director, technology opportunities program, NTIA           *Frank Lopez, president, US Hispanic Chamber Foundation           *Gary Flowers, CEO and executive director, Black Leadership            Forum (invited)           *Les Tyler, CEO THAT Corporation    WHY:    For an estimated 75 million Americans, the dream of digital TV may           be a nightmare.  Instead of propelling them into the future of           broadcasting, the DTV transition will take them straight back to           the 50's.   

For those Americans who cannot afford to purchase a new digital TV or subscribe to increasingly expensive paid-TV services like cable or satellite, coming home and tuning in to a favorite local station will no longer be a given.

   TO ATTEND: Donna Taylor-Armstrong              202-775-2650              dtaylor@brodeur.com  

PRNewswire -- June 6

Source: THAT Corporation

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Profile: International Entertainment