CEA Chief Opposes DTV Postponement
Argues Delay Would 'Erode Credibility' of Government, Confuse Consumers
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 1/12/2009 9:17:00 AM
Washington—The head of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is continuing to doubt the wisdom of the incoming Obama administration's plan to postpone the Feb. 17 transition to digital broadcasting.
CEA president Gary Shapiro said in a letter Monday that a delay would erode the credibility of the government and confuse consumers who were told to prepare for a Feb. 17 deadline.
"A change in the date could engender skepticism, confusion and distrust the next time government asks (consumers) to undertake specific actions in anticipation of a major event," Shapiro said.
Shapiro expressed his concerns in a letter to Obama transition co-chair John Podesta, who last week asked Congress to consider delaying the transition for an unspecified period of time.
Podesta cited problems with a $1.34 billion converter box coupon program and the lack of preparedness by poor, elderly and rural Americans as reasons for a delay.
"Changing the date in and of itself will simply confuse Americans while doing little to promote a successful transition to digital television," Shapiro said.
