WASHINGTON, DC – The National Association of Broadcasters today applauded House passage of legislation granting stations the ability to voluntarily broadcast in analog format a digital TV informational message or emergency information in the days following the DTV transition on February 17, 2009.
The legislation, approved by unanimous consent last night, is identical to Senate legislation (S. 3663) introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and approved by the Senate last month. The House effort was led by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA).
Commenting on the House action, NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton issued the following statement:
"Coupled with our billion dollar campaign to educate Americans on the digital TV transition, this timely legislation will give broadcasters one final resource to ensure that no TV viewer is left behind due to insufficient information. We applaud Congress, and thank Sen. Rockefeller and Rep. Capps for their leadership on this issue."
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.