Senator Robbins Supports DTV Day in State Capitol

Informing the public of broadcast changeover set for Feb. 17, 2009

And now a message from Pennsylvania's TV broadcasters to more than 400,000 residents, you are about to lose your reception!

Broadcast officials were in the state Capitol Monday for an event organized in part by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) to alert Pennsylvania residents who use antennas that they will no longer be able to receive reception as of February 17, 2009.

"That's the date under federal law that broadcasters will switch from analog to digital (DTV) transmissions," Senator Robbins said. "Anyone now relying on an antenna must either switch to cable, satellite or get a DTV converter box to keep receiving the signal."

Richard Wyckoff, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) and long-time friend of Senator Robbins, estimates there are more than 416,000 Pennsylvania homes that currently use antennas to receive free television broadcasts.

"I want to thank Senator Robbins for helping to set up this event to remind Pennsylvanians that they will lose their TV signal unless they take simple and free steps to get continued service," Wyckoff said. "They can either go to a digital signal through cable or satellite service or install a DTV convert box."

Households can apply to the National Telecommunications Information Administration to receive up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, toward the purchase of DTV converter boxes. Information about those coupons is available at www.ntia.doc.gov .

More information about the switch to DTV is available at the PAB website: www.pab.org

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322