Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

[Update]: A second day has been added to exchange a $40 dtv coupon for a no-cost converter box. Sat 11am-4pm at the Beacon Hill Festival, Jefferson Community Center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 04, 2009

Seattle residents can exchange DTV coupons for a no-cost box on Friday

What: DTV Converter Box Swap

When: Friday, June 5, 2009 – from 1 to 7 p.m.

Where: New Holly Community Center, 7050 32nd Ave S. (at Myrtle), Seattle 98118

Who: The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR-EF), Reclaim the Media, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center/Youth Media Institute, The Leadership Academy, Dish Network, The ARC of King County, and Thee Way Out

Why: With one week remaining until the June 12th Digital Television Transition, Seattle residents have the opportunity to swap their government-issued $40 coupons for
a new DTV converter box. Get hands-on instruction in setting it up and tuning in digital channels.

“With seven days remaining, this is a great opportunity to exchange your $40 coupon for a free DTV converter box,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. “Seattle residents, who are still not ready, need to act now to continue receiving their normal television programming.”

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How can you not know about the digital switch in over-the-air television signals occurring in our country on June 12th? You would be surprised. About 20,000 households in Seattle are still not prepared. On May 13th, 2009, I held a press conference with members from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the City’s Office of Cable Communications and Information Technology. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued a media release in the U. S. Department of Commerce News stating, “The Department of Commerce is aggressively reaching out to the most unprepared communities across the country, including Seattle, to help them get ready for the June 12th national switch. I commend Councilmember Bruce Harrell and the entire Seattle City Council for their work to help educate Seattle residents about the upcoming digital transition.”

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Below is the media advisory for an event this Wednesday (5/13/09) to mark the “30-Day Countdown” to the Digital Television Transition on June 12.

What: Press Conference on the 30-Day Countdown to the Digital Television Transition

When: Wednesday, May 13 at 3:15 p.m.

Where: Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue – Bertha Knight Landes Room

Who: Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Federal Communications Commission Representatives

Why: In a joint effort with the Federal Communications Commission, Councilmember Harrell will convene this press conference to mark the “30-Day Countdown” to the June 12th nationwide transition to digital television. The press conference will also call attention to the remaining 20,000 households in the Seattle market that remain unprepared for the transition.

“The City needs to continue marketing this change to digital television and make sure that all residents are ready for the transition,” said Councilmember Harrell. “Local television programming is a fundamental service for many residents, enabling them to receive information and participate in their local democracy.”

Members from the FCC will be at the press conference to provide a demonstration on how to install the converter box to an analog TV with an indoor antenna. Staff members will be on hand to help residents who have not taken advantage of the $40 coupon that is available to subsidize the $40 – $70 cost of the converter box.

For more information, visit the improved http://www.DTV.gov website or the City’s website at: http://seattle.gov/cable/digital.htm. You can also call Councilmember Harrell’s office at 206-684-8804.

Image credit: www.dtv.gov

On Thursday, February 5, 2009, Congress delayed the digital television transition until June 12, 2009. The bill allows broadcasting stations to cease analog transmission at any date between Feb. 17th (original date) and June 12th (new date). Many of the major broadcasting stations have made the decision to cease analog broadcast on June 12th instead of the original Feb. 17th date, allowing more time for those who are not prepared.

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