Contacts:
WGBH APTS
Lucy Sholley Tania Panczyk-Collins
617-300-5459 202-654-4222
lucy_sholley@wgbh.org tpanczyk@apts.org
WGBH President Calls on Congress to Invest in a Nationwide Grassroots DTV Consumer Education Campaign
WASHINGTON—October 31, 2007— WGBH President and CEO Jonathan Abbott today urged Congress to invest in a grassroots campaign to ensure that no American is left behind as the nation completes the digital conversion. Abbott said: “The key policy goal of this transition must be the preservation of free, over-the-air television, both commercial and public. It is essential to the health of this nation’s media marketplace, and our democracy.”
Testifying on behalf of WGBH, the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS), and the 364 locally owned and operated Public Television stations, Abbott called on Congress to make an immediate investment in a grassroots consumer education campaign to protect the most vulnerable viewers. Abbott said: “To fund a true grassroots campaign, we are asking Congress to invest at least an additional $20 million toward consumer education by Public Television and its partners. And it’s critical that these funds be obligated in this appropriations cycle.”
WGBH is a key participant in Public Television’s major commitment of airtime to inform viewers of the digital transition—the value of this in-kind contribution exceeds $50 million. In particular, Abbott noted that “WGBH is uniquely suited to help reach people with disabilities.” “WGBH has been a pioneer in not only providing captioning and description services, but now in advising public and private parties on how to do this effectively as the transition nears.”
Abbott continued: “As you know from your leadership in this area Mr. Chairman, television is a lifeline service for the millions of Americans with hearing and vision impairments. WGBH has been a pioneer in not only providing captioning and description services, but now in advising public and private parties on how to do this effectively as the transition nears.”
Abbott also said: “Congress and the FCC must ensure that the digital signals of local public stations are carried by satellite providers.” This echoed earlier testimony by APTS President and CEO John Lawson before the Senate Commerce Committee that the digital broadcast signals of local Public Television stations must be carried by satellite providers. Abbott said: “While we would prefer a private carriage agreement with satellite, time is short. We need Congress to help ensure that the American people have access to the Public Television stations they help fund.”
WGBH informs, inspires, and entertains millions of people throughout New England. Boston's last remaining independent TV station, WGBH is the leading producer of PBS prime-time programs and online content, a major producer for public radio, and a pioneer in educational multimedia and services that make media accessible for people with disabilities.
