CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER AND FCC COMMISSIONER COPPS TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE DIGITAL TV TRANSITION

Town Hall Meeting Will Be Held at the Bristol, Virginia City Hall on January 13

            (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that he will host FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps for a town hall meeting to inform Southwest Virginians about the upcoming digital television (DTV) transition. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at the Bristol City Hall.

            "With February 17, 2009 only a few weeks away, I am encouraging all Southwest Virginians to test their preparedness for the DTV Transition now, and I am pleased that Commissioner Copps has agreed to visit Bristol to increase awareness of the DTV transition and steps the residents of our region can take to be prepared for it," Boucher said.

             On February 17, 2009, the nation will undergo a change in the way television broadcasting is transmitted over the air. On that date, full-power television stations will terminate broadcasting analog signals, which are the current predominant method of transmitting television signals throughout the United States. Thereafter, the new method of television broadcasting signals will be digital. The DTV Transition will provide television viewers with clearer pictures and more program choices and will free up major portions of the airwaves for public safety communications such as police, fire and  rescue, and for new broadband wireless services. 

            At the meeting, Congressman Boucher and Commissioner Copps will address questions about how to prepare for the DTV transition.

"I encourage all who wish to know more about the DTV transition to attend the meeting on Tuesday" Boucher concluded.

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