Story by U. S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; Story appeared in the Forney Messenger

On January 1, 1954, Americans from coast to coast witnessed the first nationwide colorcast when the Tournament of Roses Parade was aired in vivid Technicolor. This broadcast marked the arrival of the color television, something Americans have now enjoyed for over half a century. Not since that undertaking have the U.S. broadcasting industry and the federal government endeavored to roll out a technology upgrade that impacts every American household. Until now.

After years of planning and preparation, the digital television, or DTV, transition took place on June 12, 2009. At midnight, all of the nation’s full power broadcasters, large TV stations covering multiple cities, switched from an analog to a digital broadcasting format. Prior to this date, about 40 percent of broadcasters had transitioned to digital, but the remaining 60 percent were required by law to changeover and discontinue broadcasting in analog format.

For those who were not ready for the transition, you may have turned on your TV set the day of the transition and found you had no access to basic television programming, public emergency broadcasts, such as AMBER Alerts, severe weather warnings, and other important safety messages. You can still take modest measures to continue to receive television broadcasts.

The Texas households at risk of being unprepared are ones with older television sets and they receive over-the-air programming using roof top antennas or “rabbit ears.” These TVs require a converter box to translate the digital broadcast signal into an analog signal that an older television can display. Each television that is neither outfitted with a digital tuner nor connected to a cable or satellite service requires an independent converter box. Consumers can still purchase converter boxes at retail locations across the country, including many electronics chains throughout Texas. Consumers who still need coupons to offset the cost of a converter box may contact the U.S. Department of Commerce at 1-888-388-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov.

Many Texans faced with preparations and costs may be wondering why this transition was so important – or even necessary at all.

Although it may not be as dramatic as shifting from black and white to color TV, the transition will significantly enhance the clarity of television broadcasts, resulting in less interference, sharper pictures, and better sound quality. The efficiency of digital broadcasting will also allow for new and diverse television programming.

Most importantly, transitioning to digital television, or DTV, will free up important radio frequencies, which can be reused for new communications services and safety activities that will increase the nation’s ability to respond to terrorist attacks and national disasters. Digital broadcasting will continue to transmit emergency messages, like AMBER Alerts, but some of the spectrum space will be reallocated to implement a nationwide interoperable public safety communication system to support police, fire departments, rescue squads and other first responders. The challenges facing first responders on September 11, 2001, and during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita illustrate how badly this capability is needed, and the 9/11 Commission recommended a nationwide public safety system in its final report to Congress.

I have worked hard to spread the word to all Texans through brochures, educational outreach programs, and public service announcements. Even though the changeover date has come and gone, large numbers of Texans may not have been able to prepare, including many elderly and disabled individuals as well as those facing language barriers.

Though you may have prepared and your household’s DTV transition went smoothly, please take time to assist others, particularly friends, family, and neighbors who may be unable to obtain a converter box or need assistance installing one. This technological change is an important development, but it need not be overwhelming.

Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior U.S. Senator from Texas and is the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The above material was originally sent under the heading of Sen. Hutchison’s column, which is e-mailed on a regular basis to the Messenger and other newspapers. Because the Messenger does not have the space to publish columns from our federal and state representatives on a regular basis, we publish selected columns as guest editorials or feature articles when we feel they would be of particular interest to our readers.

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This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com.

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