Government Gets Failing Grade on DTV Transition

Government Gets Failing Grade on DTV Transition

Despite Increased Consumer Awareness, Study finds Majority of Americans Say Government is on the 'Wrong Track' with the DTV Transition

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A recent survey by the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) finds a majority of Americans feel that the federal government is on the "wrong track" in moving the digital transition forward.

While awareness of the transition has increased, the study found that increased awareness alone was not enough. The survey revealed that the level of disapproval with what is being expected of consumers as part of the transition was essentially the same regardless of the level of consumer awareness. Specifically, 55.7 percent of consumers who are unaware of the transition, and 54.7 percent of consumers who are aware of the transition, say that the government is on the "wrong track."

"The federal government mandated the transition to digital but has failed to make the case to the American public for the decision," said APTS President and CEO John Lawson. The survey suggests that the efforts of broadcasters and the DTV Transition Coalition are having a positive impact, with the percentage of Americans who were unaware of the DTV transition declining from 61.2 percent in November 2006 to 51.3 percent in August 2007.

"Public broadcasters have and will continue to invest our scarce resources to help ensure a successful transition, but it's time for the government to put some skin in the game," Lawson said. Since 2005, APTS has asked Congress for a greater investment in consumer education about the DTV transition. Lawson continued: "The Federal government stands to reap billions of dollars from the transition, but they have invested less than $10 million in consumer education. This investment pales in comparison to the more than $100 million spent on consumer education on the Medicare Part D program. It is time for Congress to make a greater investment in consumer education, since voters will hold them accountable in the end."

At a September 19, 2007 hearing before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Mark Goldstein, Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), also concluded that the federal government is drastically unprepared to educate the public, particularly seniors, about the transition.

Lawson said: "The government has a vested interest in increasing consumer awareness. Our survey found that almost 22 percent of Americans who are aware of the transition say that the government is on the 'right track,' compared with just 7 percent of those who are unaware. The government must devote real resources to raise awareness and make their case to avoid a voter backlash in February 2009." The percentage of respondents who indicated that they were "very much aware" of the transition increased from 7.8 percent in November 2006 to 19.8 percent in August 2007.

"We and our commercial broadcaster colleagues will devote airtime for consumer education around the DTV transition. But I'm not aware of a single Member of Congress who was elected through TV spots alone," Lawson said. Direct mail, town meetings, events at senior centers and similar tactics were all necessary components of a successful campaign -- and that will take direct funding from Congress, he said. To pursue this campaign, APTS, representing Public Television stations serving 125 million Americans every month, has partnered with the Leadership Council on Civil Rights, and its 200 organizational members representing more than 60 million people, and the Alliance for Rural Television.

The study results are based on an August 2007 survey of 1,153 households conducted by research firm CENTRIS in Fort Washington, Pa.

Source: Association of Public Television Stations

CONTACT: Tania Panczyk-Collins of APTS, +1-202-654-4222,
tpanczyk@apts.org

Web site:

http://www.apts.org/

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