The TV Consumer Choice Act

The TV Consumer Choice Act
May 13, 2005

Imagine sitting down to watch the Wisconsin Badgers in a bowl game on New Year's Day 2007 only to find that your TV no longer works. It's more likely than you think. If some advocates have their way, all analog signals will cease on December 31, 2006 to pave the way for digital television. Unless you're willing to shell out as much as $950 for a new digital TV, you could be out of luck.

That's because a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate will soon add as much as $100 to the price of nearly every TV. Why would you want to waste $100 on something you don't need and will likely never use?

The FCC mandate requires all television manufacturers to equip their products, except those smaller than 13 inches, with digital television (DTV) tuners by 2007. Digital tuners allow TVs to receive digital broadcasts from over-the-air signals, that is, when not hooked up to cable or satellite. The FCC claims that implementing its rule is necessary for all TV sets to be digitally compatible, thereby facilitating the transition from analog to digital signals and allowing consumers to watch TV in digital mode.

This 'TV Tax' by the FCC might be helpful to the 12 percent of American households who currently rely on such broadcasts, but is useless to the 88 percent of households who subscribe to cable, satellite, or other services. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average cost of a TV with a built-in tuner is $950. Under the FCC's mandate, millions of Americans who want to purchase a new TV will be forced to spend $950 on a new TV or up to $100 on a DTV tuner.

The digital broadcasting conversion is set to take place to enable broadcasters to air an improved product. This transfer will result in a better picture and more authentic sound for home viewers, which I support. However, although DTV may offer new and exciting technology, costly and wasteful tuners should not be imposed upon television viewers nationwide. While some argue that this heavy-handed mandate is necessary to successfully make the transition from analog to digital broadcasts, this is simply not true. If consumers want to receive digital broadcasts, they will either choose to purchase a TV with the appropriate tuner or buy a stand-alone tuner to hook up to their current set. Consumer choice, not government mandates, is the best way to efficiently and fairly facilitate the transition to digital broadcasting.

The solution is simple-the FCC mandate should be repealed and consumers should be allowed to decide what they want. That is why I reintroduced the TV Consumer Choice Act this week. My bill will reverse the FCC's ruling, thus returning decisions on television options to individual consumers, not the federal government. The TV Consumer Choice Act will allow hundreds of millions of Americans, many of whom cannot afford the additional expense of a TV with a DTV tuner, to choose the product that best suits their needs.

In Wisconsin, the difference of $100 can be significant for many families. By repealing the FCC's needless 'TV Tax,' Wisconsinites can spend their $100 on more worthwhile items.

http://www.house.gov/sensenbrenner/wc20050513.html