Effective May 25 — this coming Friday — sellers of analog-only TV must display the following text on signs on or near product displays, and in offers for sale in catalogs, direct mail, websites, and emails:
“CONSUMER ALERT This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.”
Procedural background (this will not be not on the exam): The FCC’s original order, released May 3, set an effective date of May 25. That date was superseded by a Federal Register notice on May 10 saying the requirement could not take effect until approved by the Office of Management and Budget. This morning’s Federal Register announced that approval and reinstated the May 25 effective date.
The original May 3 order is at this link.