The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) coupon program to subsidize the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes necessary when analog TV transmission ends in 2009 "does not go far enough" to ensure viewers do not lose access to over-the-air television, according to NAB president and CEO David Rehr.
Calling the program a "step in the right direction," the NAB chief said the association welcomed Congressional oversight. The primary goal of the NAB is to make sure that all 73 million TV sets that receive analog transmission will continue to have access to over-the-air television once the DTV transition is complete.
The NTIA held the first of several public hearings on the coupon program last week.
To learn more about the program, read: "NTIA releases converter box coupon program details."