2008 CABLE SHOW: McSlarrow Sees Successful DTV Transition
NCTA Chief Hails Industry’s Growth, Success Of Digital Phone Service
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 5/18/2008 12:03:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS—When the cable industry holds its 2009 convention in Washington, D.C., TV stations' transition to digital will be over and cable operators will have played a key role in the success of that effort, National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow said Sunday.
"I am confident our industry will have played a key role in its success…not simply because we stepped up to help with a $200 million consumer education campaign…but because we are working constructively with broadcasters, government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure its success," McSlarrow said in a keynote address at his industry's annual convention.
All full-power TV stations must turn off their analog signals on Feb. 17, 2009. Cable homes with analog TV sets not connected to the pay-TV service need to take action to prevent those sets from going dark. Cable customers may connect their over-the-air sets to the cable network or purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes.
McSlarrow issued an upbeat assessment of the industry's health despite a sluggish economy and new video competition from AT&T and Verizon.
"The most interesting thing to me right now is that in the face of an uncertain economy and the most intense competition we have ever experienced, we are growing…and growing in a way that sets us apart," McSlarrow said.
McSlarrow said the industry's entry into the local phone market continues to reap huge dividends.
"The success of digital phone means American consumers are likely to save up to $100 billion dollars over the next few years. One industry’s decision to take on the most entrenched incumbents in America will put money in the pockets of consumers that equals what Congress might do with a major tax cut," he said.
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