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Washington, DC -- Ranking Member David Davis, of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, held a hearing entitled “The DTV Transition and Small Businesses: Small Firms Contributing to a Big Change” today. Ranking Member Davis has invited Jack Dempsey, President and General Manager of Johnson City’s WJHL-TV Newschannel 11 to share concerns regarding the DTV transition. Ranking Member Davis’ opening statement:
“Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing on the DTV transition and the impact on small firms. I would like to thank all of the witnesses for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to testify before this committee, and most particularly Mr. Jack Dempsey, who has made the trip up from Johnson City, TN.
“Since the Deficit Reduction Act became law on February 6. 2006, the days of the analog television signal have been numbered. On February 17, 2009, the nation will undergo a change in the way television broadcasting is transmitted over-the-air. On that date, all television stations will terminate broadcasting analog signals. Thereafter, only digital signals will be transmitted. Small broadcasters, electronic retailers and other small firms are at the forefront of the DTV transition.
“The switch from analog to digital transmission signals will provide television viewers with clearer pictures and more program choices, and will free up major portions of the airwaves for public safety communications, such as police, fire and rescue, and for new broadband wireless services. All of these are admirable goals, but the DTV transition is not without cost. Since the late 1990s, television broadcasters have spent billions of dollars to build the infrastructure for, and to air, digital signals, while continuing to broadcast in analog. While all broadcasters are being tasked with making this change, small cable companies and broadcasters are feeling the pinch of these expenditures more acutely than their larger counterparts.
“Once again I would like to thank the witnesses for being here today, and I am eager to hear your testimony. Thank you."
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