CEA's Shapiro: DTV Subsidy Program Will Work

Consumer Electronics Association President Speaks at National Telecommunications & Information Administration DTV Summit

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/25/2007 11:24:00 AM

Consumer Electronics Association president Gary Shapiro defended the government's DTV-to-analog converter-box-subsidy program Tuesday, saying that some people were arguing that the program wouldn't work "even before giving it a chance to get off the ground."

Shapiro was speaking at a DTV summit at the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, which is overseeing the subsidy program.

Shapiro said the facts tell another story and boldly predicted: "This program will succeed, the DTV transition will happen on schedule and all Americans will soon enjoy the wonderful benefits of digital television."

Shapiro said that by the end of 2007, 85 million DTVs will have been sold, which translated to 53% of TV households, with a projected 70 million more by the end of 2009.

The NTIA Tuesday was showing off the DTV-to-analog converter technology, which it said will provide analog-set owners with an improved picture and a wider range of channels to choose from since they will be able to receive broadcasters' multicast channels.