Disability groups cite DTV transition concerns
August 17th, 2007• The digital TV transition poses problems for people with disabilities, coalition tells FCC. Concerns include closed captioning and video description services.
• DirecTV must stop airing ads claiming consumers prefer its picture quality over cable; court’s preliminary injunction cites “unfairly designed” survey that compared digital satellite TV with analog cable.
• The public owns the airwaves, yet FCC digital TV rules fail to address broadcasters’ obligations to local communities, public advocacy groups complain. FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps agrees [so do I! –Ed.], says the commission has been “asleep at the switch.”
• FCC comment deadlines: Comments on the FCC’s Digital Television Consumer Education Initiative are due September 17. Reply comments must be filed by October 1.