Senate Commerce Committee chair Daniel Inouye (D-HI) has succeeded in drumming up some government support for LPTV operators looking to participate fully in the DTV transition. His rider to the Deficit Reduction Act provides “timely reimbursement” for LPTV operators putting in equipment upgrades. It will also instruct NTIA to use any extra or leftover funding it has to make further efforts to assure that “senior citizens, rural residents, and minorities” are not left behind 2/17/09. “I am pleased the President signed this important legislation into law,” said Senator Inouye. “Many Americans, especially low-income Americans and seniors, turn to over-the-air television to stay informed about current events and in the event of emergencies. This bill provides assistance to those most affected by the transition and it brings us a step closer to ensuring that when we move from analog to digital broadcasting on February 17 of next year, consumers will not be left in the dark.”
