Chris Blount
05-12-05, 06:51 AM
Eddie Fritts of the National Association of Broadcasters said he wants digital TV transision deadlines that protect viewers from losing access to local broadcasting, and he suggested that those same consumers should be given access to all digital broadcast TV services through cable.
Fritts, NAB's soon-to-be-departing president and CEO, made those comments about digital broadcasting and DTV this week at the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) annual meeting.
The NAB exec said policy-makers should be careful when it comes to establishing deadlines for the digital TV transition. "Analog television will end, to be sure. The question for policymakers is when, and how do you not disenfranchise millions of consumers in the process.
"We agree with those in Congress who warn of the potential for consumer outrage if this transition is not handled carefully," he said.
And Fritts said consumers should have access to broadcast DTV programming through cable.
"Digital and high-definition TV is about consumers having more choice and better quality," he said. "Cable gatekeepers like Comcast and Time Warner ought not be allowed to deny consumers access to any broadcast digital programming. All free bits must flow to the consumer.
Fritts said other broadcaster priorities at the moment include cable headend down-conversion of broadcast programming from digital to analog and broadcast flag protection.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
Fritts, NAB's soon-to-be-departing president and CEO, made those comments about digital broadcasting and DTV this week at the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) annual meeting.
The NAB exec said policy-makers should be careful when it comes to establishing deadlines for the digital TV transition. "Analog television will end, to be sure. The question for policymakers is when, and how do you not disenfranchise millions of consumers in the process.
"We agree with those in Congress who warn of the potential for consumer outrage if this transition is not handled carefully," he said.
And Fritts said consumers should have access to broadcast DTV programming through cable.
"Digital and high-definition TV is about consumers having more choice and better quality," he said. "Cable gatekeepers like Comcast and Time Warner ought not be allowed to deny consumers access to any broadcast digital programming. All free bits must flow to the consumer.
Fritts said other broadcaster priorities at the moment include cable headend down-conversion of broadcast programming from digital to analog and broadcast flag protection.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)