We have five TVs in our home-three of which are used and two that sit in a corner of the basement. The TVs relegated to the basement are in working order so we don’t want to throw them out, but we don’t use them.
How exactly, I wonder, are the powers-that-be going to determine my family’s digital needs when they consider the transition to digital TV? Is the Ford family deprived because only two of the five TVs are capable of receiving digital signals, or is it one TV per household? (Does the fact that we have more TVs than people in the house cause anyone concern?)
Sen. John McCain has introduced a bill that would finally force TV broadcasters to give up spectrum at 700 MHz and enter a new era of digital TV technology beginning Dec. 31, 2008. McCain’s bill also would set aside $463 million for low-income households to receive set-top boxes if they rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasting.
Just pass it already.
Consumer groups weighed in on McCain’s measure, insisting people should not have to spend $50 per set to make their TVs capable of receiving free over-the-air signals. Estimates on how many TVs will need converters vary widely, but two consumer advocate groups released a study that estimated four out 10 households have at least one TV that relies on over-the-air broadcasting, even if they have multiple TVs using cable or satellite technologies. We have that-the two TVs in storage in the basement. If a household has 20 TVs, should they all be made digital capable?
I’m sure the Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America are trying to protect citizens’ interest, especially for low-income people. But I wonder if much ado is being made about nothing.
For example, the founder of the Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership testified earlier this year that DTV has not made any inroads into the Hispanic community. Perhaps not. But market research firm Accentmarketing, which handles Hispanic marketing efforts for Nextel, said the Hispanic market is a desirable target with 38 million U.S. Hispanics and $580 billion in disposable income.
The entire stall behind the transition to digital TV doesn’t really have that much to do with whether some people would be deprived of free TV. It really has to do with broadcasters not wanting to give up spectrum. I understand. I don’t like giving up things I consider mine either. But hey, that’s what taxes are all about.
A subsidy to deserving individuals is OK, but Congress shouldn’t lose sight of its goal.
A great irony is that 700 MHz spectrum could be used for wireless TV broadcasts.
