CEA Participates In NTIA Digital Television Transition

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today participated in a public meeting and exposition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to highlight the steps government and industry are taking to ensure the nation’s successful transition to digital television (DTV). At the NTIA event, CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro highlighted the association’s multi-faceted consumer education campaign. CEA also demonstrated its member companies’ products, including digital televisions and digital to analog converter boxes, that are speeding the digital transition.

The following comment can be attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA:

“We support the excellent work of NTIA in implementing the DTV converter coupon program. Some have suggested that the coupon program won’t work before even giving it a chance to get off the ground. But the facts tell a different story – this program will succeed, the DTV transition will happen on schedule, and all Americans will soon enjoy the wonderful benefits of digital television.”

“Consumer adoption of digital television is incredible. By the end of 2007, cumulative sales of DTVs will surpass 85 million units – meaning that 53% of the nation’s households will own a digital television by the end of this year. We project consumers will buy 70 million new DTVs over the next two years (2008 and 2009). And for those consumers who choose to keep their analog televisions, the converter box coupon program will ensure that they have affordable access to a great new technology that will allow them to continue receiving free, over the air broadcasting.”