Some have suggested that the coupon program won’t work before even giving it a chance to get off the ground. But the facts tell a different story, this program will succeed, the DTV transition will happen on schedule, and all Americans will soon enjoy the wonderful benefits of digital television.
Gary Shapiro, President and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association

A public meeting was held today by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to highlight the steps government and industry are taking to ensure the nation’s successful transition to digital television (DTV).

CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro highlighted the association’s multi-faceted consumer education campaign. CEA also demonstrated its member companies' products, including digital televisions and digital to analog converter boxes, that are speeding the digital transition.

Shapiro reinforced the association's support of the, sometimes controversial, DTV converter coupon program. "Some have suggested that the coupon program won't work before even giving it a chance to get off the ground," he said. "But the facts tell a different story, this program will succeed, the DTV transition will happen on schedule, and all Americans will soon enjoy the wonderful benefits of digital television."

Shapiro said that sales of digital televisions will surpass 85 million units by the end of 2007. this translates into 53% of the nation's households owning a digital television by the end of this year. "We project consumers will buy 70 million new DTVs over the next two years (2008 and 2009). And for those consumers who choose to keep their analog televisions, the converter box coupon program will ensure that they have affordable access to a great new technology that will allow them to continue receiving free, over the air broadcasting."