FCC fines retailers over DTV labeling

[Nick]

Sears, Wal-Mart and Circuit City cited
for not informing customers of the up-
coming switch from analog to digital

WASHINGTON -- As broadcasters prepare for the government-ordered switch to digital television next year, federal regulators sent their own signal Thursday: Retailers and manufacturers face stiff penalties if they try to take advantage of consumer confusion.

The Federal Communications Commission announced plans to levy more than $3.9 million in fines against seven major retailers, including Sears Holdings Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Circuit City Stores Inc., for not alerting customers that the analog TVs they sold wouldn't receive over-the-air stations after the digital transition on Feb. 17, 2009. The agency proposed an additional $2.7 million in fines against manufacturers for violating other related rules.

The FCC also announced that LG Electronics Inc., Vizio Inc. and five other leading TV manufacturers had agreed to pay a total of $3.4 million to resolve investigations into their alleged violations.

"Swift enforcement of our DTV-related rules is critical to protecting consumers and reducing potential confusion," FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin told a Senate committee this week. ...More @ LA Times.com (http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-tv11apr11,1,152881.story?track=rss)

[Paul Secic]

Sears, Wal-Mart and Circuit City cited
for not informing customers of the up-
coming switch from analog to digital

More @ LA Times.com (http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-tv11apr11,1,152881.story?track=rss)

They should have ordered all electronic companies to cease making analog sets back in October 2006 and fine billions!

[n3ntj]

Wasn't this exact story posted last week here on DBSTalk?

[brucegrr]

My problems with fines is.............the government collects and the consumer is still stuck with the analog TV. The consumer benefits nothing from the fine.

There is a lot of confusion about this..........especially with older people. Why CAN'T they use the TV they have had for 20 years (my in-laws)

[Phil T]

Last September I was in Kmart and they were clearing out all of their non-digital sets. They had all of the boxes and shelves marked about the sets being non digital. I picked up a nice new 24" RCA for my daughter for less then $90.00.

I wondered how come when I was in Circuit City and Best Buy there was nothing marked and the prices were a lot higher. :scratchin:

[SDizzle]

My problems with fines is.............the government collects and the consumer is still stuck with the analog TV. The consumer benefits nothing from the fine.

There is a lot of confusion about this..........especially with older people. Why CAN'T they use the TV they have had for 20 years (my in-laws)

They can. If they have cable or satellite now, they will see no difference. If they use OTA, then they need the converter box. That's how I explained it to my parents......I switched them to D* a year ago, so I just told them don't worry about anything.

[brucegrr]

My in-laws (in their mid 70's) are on some ancient Time Warner cable package that has not been offered in years. They pay 12.00 or so a month for basic cable. No cable box, direct cable connection to TV. From what I understand, they will need some form of cable box to continue to get service. I read one recent news article where a cable company was charging a 70.00 service call and 5.95 a month for the "new" box.

I may suggest OTA to them. Satellite is a no go. No LOS.

Or squeeze them til they spring for a new TV :)

[tcusta00]

My problems with fines is.............the government collects and the consumer is still stuck with the analog TV. The consumer benefits nothing from the fine.

There is a lot of confusion about this..........especially with older people. Why CAN'T they use the TV they have had for 20 years (my in-laws)

Yup, I said the same thing but was castigated for it over there...

http://dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1547869&postcount=129

[Drew2k]

Wasn't this exact story posted last week here on DBSTalk?Yup, right over here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1547849&postcount=128 :)

Walmart, Best Buy and others fined by the FCC for failing to disclose the analog shutdown. From BetaNews (http://www.betanews.com/article/FCC_issues_6_million_in_DTV_fines_to_WalMart_other s/1207934116)

FCC issues $6 million in DTV fines to Wal-Mart, others
April 11 - 1:23 PM ET

The Federal Communications Commission has exacted fines on retailers found to not be fully advising customers about the DTV transition, including Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Target; as well as a number of CE manufacturers.

[Dan Burgess]

My in-laws (in their mid 70's) are on some ancient Time Warner cable package that has not been offered in years. They pay 12.00 or so a month for basic cable. No cable box, direct cable connection to TV. From what I understand, they will need some form of cable box to continue to get service. I read one recent news article where a cable company was charging a 70.00 service call and 5.95 a month for the "new" box.

I may suggest OTA to them. Satellite is a no go. No LOS.

Or squeeze them til they spring for a new TV :)These people will not need a new tv. The cable company will still modulate cable channels over NTSC frequencies the same way they are now.

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq25

[SDizzle]

My in-laws (in their mid 70's) are on some ancient Time Warner cable package that has not been offered in years. They pay 12.00 or so a month for basic cable. No cable box, direct cable connection to TV. From what I understand, they will need some form of cable box to continue to get service. I read one recent news article where a cable company was charging a 70.00 service call and 5.95 a month for the "new" box.

I may suggest OTA to them. Satellite is a no go. No LOS.

Or squeeze them til they spring for a new TV :)

I still don't think they will need a converter box.