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Don’t Let the Switch to Digital TV Hurt Consumers
Target: U.S. Senate,, U.S. House of RepresentativesSponsored by: Consumers Union
You may not know it yet, but your TV could soon go dark.
Congress is getting ready to take up legislation that would set a firm date for all television signals to switch from the analog signal you receive now to an all-digital one. Yet, nearly 85% of Americans do not have a TV capable of receiving this new digital signal. Some consumers could wind up having to buy a brand new TV or a set-top converter box (estimated cost of at least $50 each).
Congress is in the process of deciding who should pay for the switch - consumers or the government. The government will also auction off the channels that are currently used for local TV broadcasting, potentially earning billions of dollars on the sale. Importantly, these funds could be used to compensate consumers who will be harmed by the switch to digital TV.
Tell Congress that consumers shouldnÂ’t have to bear the financial burden for the transition to digital TV!
For more information on this issue, please visit HearUsNow.org, a site operated by Consumers Union.
Congress is getting ready to take up legislation that would set a firm date for all television signals to switch from the analog signal you receive now to an all-digital one. Yet, nearly 85% of Americans do not have a TV capable of receiving this new digital signal. Some consumers could wind up having to buy a brand new TV or a set-top converter box (estimated cost of at least $50 each).
Congress is in the process of deciding who should pay for the switch - consumers or the government. The government will also auction off the channels that are currently used for local TV broadcasting, potentially earning billions of dollars on the sale. Importantly, these funds could be used to compensate consumers who will be harmed by the switch to digital TV.
Tell Congress that consumers shouldnÂ’t have to bear the financial burden for the transition to digital TV!
For more information on this issue, please visit HearUsNow.org, a site operated by Consumers Union.
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Don’t Let the Switch to Digital TV Hurt Consumers” petition!
# 24,706:
9:18 am PDT, Apr 9,
Valerie Grogan, Kansas
# 24,705:
6:54 am PDT, Apr 8,
Matthew Hermann, Michigan
# 24,704:
12:19 am PDT, Apr 5,
Joni Lynn, Utah
# 24,703:
6:28 pm PDT, Apr 2,
Name not displayed, Nevada
# 24,702:
4:09 pm PST, Mar 30,
Alba Mosser, New York
# 24,701:
3:56 am PST, Mar 30,
Abid Ali G Manesia, India
# 24,700:
2:42 am PST, Mar 30,
Ann Staley, Texas
another reason we need government reform. this is a corp issue not government, as this will only help service providers make more money as they charge more for the hdtv service. this seems unethical for government involvment.
another reason we need government reform. this is a corp issue not government, as this will only help service providers make more money as they charge more for the hdtv service. this seems unethical for government involvment.
# 24,699:
7:42 am PST, Mar 29,
Ryan Dodson, Pennsylvania
# 24,698:
5:05 am PST, Mar 27,
Madeline Baxter, Arkansas
# 24,697:
11:54 am PST, Mar 26,
Serenity Allah, California
# 24,696:
5:04 am PST, Mar 25,
Deborah Reumann, New Mexico
# 24,695:
4:37 pm PST, Mar 23,
Name not displayed, Greece
# 24,694:
10:54 am PST, Mar 23,
Christina Leinartas, Illinois
# 24,693:
11:26 pm PST, Mar 20,
Colleen Obrien, Canada
we are not all multi-nationals in the money
we are not all multi-nationals in the money
# 24,692:
8:01 pm PST, Mar 19,
Kimberly Bosworth, North Carolina
# 24,691:
5:18 pm PST, Mar 19,
M. Holman, Minnesota
The government should not be requiring ANY company to upgrade to un-needed technology. The cost to the consumers and the government is also a terrible waste of time and money.
The government should not be requiring ANY company to upgrade to un-needed technology. The cost to the consumers and the government is also a terrible waste of time and money.
# 24,690:
6:32 pm PST, Mar 18,
LYNETTE ZIZ, New York
dont make it harder for the ppl to get by, right now we have to pay EXTRA for gas oil, electric and the food costs more, so stop it no more, your killing us here!!!!! how many jobs are we exprcted to work, to get by ??? things are getting worse, it is a crime stop mmaking things cost more
dont make it harder for the ppl to get by, right now we have to pay EXTRA for gas oil, electric and the food costs more, so stop it no more, your killing us here!!!!! how many jobs are we exprcted to work, to get by ??? things are getting worse, it is a crime stop mmaking things cost more
# 24,689:
4:22 pm PST, Mar 18,
Name not displayed, Colorado
We don't have the money to do something like that. We live from paycheck to paycheck trying to have a decent living and can't afford to buy a new tv. What we have is fine. Why should everyone have to have digital tv. I think it should be a choice, not something you get stuck with.
We don't have the money to do something like that. We live from paycheck to paycheck trying to have a decent living and can't afford to buy a new tv. What we have is fine. Why should everyone have to have digital tv. I think it should be a choice, not something you get stuck with.
# 24,688:
3:08 pm PST, Mar 17,
Kim Tietje, Utah
# 24,687:
1:59 pm PST, Mar 17,
Sharon Lancaster, South Carolina
# 24,686:
11:05 am PST, Mar 15,
Deanna Cobb, Georgia
# 24,685:
3:41 am PST, Mar 15,
Tracy Slager, Indiana
# 24,684:
8:39 pm PST, Mar 13,
Sara Lodermeier, Arizona
# 24,683:
11:51 am PST, Mar 13,
Name not displayed, Missouri
# 24,682:
8:26 am PST, Mar 12,
J. Hall, New Jersey
# 24,681:
12:59 am PST, Mar 12,
Susan Jenkins, Pennsylvania
# 24,680:
9:00 pm PST, Mar 11,
Kara Cunningham, Hawaii
# 24,679:
8:08 pm PST, Mar 11,
Ronald Apple, Indiana
# 24,678:
10:28 am PST, Mar 11,
Mary Petty, California
There are too many people out there that don't have digital T.V.s yet. Just leave things alone for the next ten years or so and there won't be a problem. Why do you always have to rush things, cost people money and cause problems when waiting a while would take care of things? Knock it off. There is no real need for this other than to line someones pockets and frankly, I am so sick of money being the reason for everything anymore. Can't you look down the line and see the problems you are causing? People matter! Why do you all want to wind up living in a "1984" type of world? Does that really sound good to you, or do you think you are above the masses? Goodness, leave things alone!
There are too many people out there that don't have digital T.V.s yet. Just leave things alone for the next ten years or so and there won't be a problem. Why do you always have to rush things, cost people money and cause problems when waiting a while would take care of things? Knock it off. There is no real need for this other than to line someones pockets and frankly, I am so sick of money being the reason for everything anymore. Can't you look down the line and see the problems you are causing? People matter! Why do you all want to wind up living in a "1984" type of world? Does that really sound good to you, or do you think you are above the masses? Goodness, leave things alone!
# 24,677:
9:32 am PST, Mar 11,
Nancy Ohm, Pennsylvania
# 24,676:
3:26 pm PST, Mar 10,
Rain Dancer, Texas
# 24,675:
1:13 pm PST, Mar 10,
Sandra Green, Texas
# 24,674:
1:34 pm PST, Mar 9,
Rebecca Haughn, Ohio
Technology should be used for all of humanity not just the top rated few...Government decides then the government should pay!!!
Technology should be used for all of humanity not just the top rated few...Government decides then the government should pay!!!
# 24,673:
1:50 pm PST, Mar 8,
Erin Boyer, California
# 24,672:
3:10 pm PST, Mar 7,
Name not displayed, Florida
As a Floridian, i cant imagine a hurricane season without a portable TV. Cable lines go down and its the only source of information in the center of a storm. Its more than just a tailgate tool in my state, its a matter of safety and security
As a Floridian, i cant imagine a hurricane season without a portable TV. Cable lines go down and its the only source of information in the center of a storm. Its more than just a tailgate tool in my state, its a matter of safety and security
# 24,671:
9:49 am PST, Mar 7,
Michael Mitsuda, California
# 24,670:
9:06 pm PST, Mar 6,
Josh Knotts, West Virginia
# 24,669:
12:43 pm PST, Mar 6,
Name not displayed, Italy
# 24,668:
7:29 am PST, Mar 3,
Angela Morrow, Maine
# 24,667:
2:38 pm PST, Feb 28,
Rachel Kleypas-sparrow, United Kingdom
I am on digital cable in the front room and can't afford to get it in the spare room, or bedroom. To force people, like me on low income to go digital isn't going to work. The government has to make concessions for those on welfare, elderly, and disabled, and on low incomes. I don't get a concession in the UK and I am disabled. I have digital cable, broadband and telephone. However, the concessions, I do get is in the service. So although I have to find £70 a month for all three-it is just well within my limits. I still have to be careful though. However, in America families on low incomes, welfare and disabled aren't privelaged to live rent free in government housing. Therefore, further concessions will have to be made for them, if the government insists on going digital. Plans have to be put in place to allow the poor and needy whose only pleasure is the television as they can't afford holidays be allowed to have that pleasure not taken away from them. The government has to consider this problem. The television is also a source of education and information. How will those voters on welfare,elderly and disabled know who they are voting for, if they can't see the telly?
I am on digital cable in the front room and can't afford to get it in the spare room, or bedroom. To force people, like me on low income to go digital isn't going to work. The government has to make concessions for those on welfare, elderly, and disabled, and on low incomes. I don't get a concession in the UK and I am disabled. I have digital cable, broadband and telephone. However, the concessions, I do get is in the service. So although I have to find £70 a month for all three-it is just well within my limits. I still have to be careful though. However, in America families on low incomes, welfare and disabled aren't privelaged to live rent free in government housing. Therefore, further concessions will have to be made for them, if the government insists on going digital. Plans have to be put in place to allow the poor and needy whose only pleasure is the television as they can't afford holidays be allowed to have that pleasure not taken away from them. The government has to consider this problem. The television is also a source of education and information. How will those voters on welfare,elderly and disabled know who they are voting for, if they can't see the telly?
# 24,666:
9:46 am PST, Feb 28,
Karen Sean, California
# 24,665:
9:59 pm PST, Feb 27,
Kathleen Rizzo Confer, New Jersey
Well first Im a Satelite user, but without satelite, I have nothing!! Does this mean the goverment is buying me a brand new TV? So I can watch faulty digital. Look at the problems, that digital has also. I will need a receiver every 4 to 6 months at least, etc.(From experience) And if the switch goes through, Im sure we all would like a 36inch hdtv!! On the government, and their expense account.
Well first Im a Satelite user, but without satelite, I have nothing!! Does this mean the goverment is buying me a brand new TV? So I can watch faulty digital. Look at the problems, that digital has also. I will need a receiver every 4 to 6 months at least, etc.(From experience) And if the switch goes through, Im sure we all would like a 36inch hdtv!! On the government, and their expense account.
# 24,664:
8:56 pm PST, Feb 27,
John Bechtold, Florida
# 24,663:
4:30 pm PST, Feb 27,
Jay Amling, Alabama
# 24,662:
3:54 am PST, Feb 25,
Lisa Lowder, Pennsylvania
# 24,661:
9:44 pm PST, Feb 24,
Charlotte Perry-Houts, California
Yeah, wow, i'm not such a fan of TV but that's really a little bit fascist. You can't make everyone go buy a new TV. That's... I mean, why? Money for you? What about money for them? I don't know, that's kind of... don't do that! Meanie.
Yeah, wow, i'm not such a fan of TV but that's really a little bit fascist. You can't make everyone go buy a new TV. That's... I mean, why? Money for you? What about money for them? I don't know, that's kind of... don't do that! Meanie.
# 24,660:
11:28 am PST, Feb 24,
Name not displayed, Indiana
# 24,659:
6:02 am PST, Feb 24,
Daniel Lippman, Connecticut
# 24,658:
9:10 pm PST, Feb 23,
Name not displayed, West Virginia
Keep the analog signal also,I shouldn't be made to switch if I don't choose to. The last time I looked this was SUPPOSED to be the United States of America, Land Of The FREE.
Keep the analog signal also,I shouldn't be made to switch if I don't choose to. The last time I looked this was SUPPOSED to be the United States of America, Land Of The FREE.
# 24,657:
11:16 am PST, Feb 23,
Sara Lundahl, Sweden
# 24,656:
6:38 am PST, Feb 23,
Christopher Wolf, California
# 24,655:
8:16 am PST, Feb 22,
Name not displayed, Washington
# 24,654:
1:48 am PST, Feb 22,
Steve Klein, Canada
# 24,653:
12:35 am PST, Feb 22,
Jill Merola, Connecticut
# 24,652:
4:37 pm PST, Feb 21,
Name not displayed, California
# 24,651:
10:34 am PST, Feb 21,
Josh Christian, Washington