[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           DIGITAL TELEVISION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2002

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of an 
exciting new technology. Local television broadcasters across the 
country are undertaking their biggest advancement in years: the 
transition to digital television. These stations aim to provide new 
services to their viewers, our constituents. Digital TV opens the door 
to new possibilities like High Definition TV, interactive television, 
and expanded programming options.
  Two Cleveland stations already serve my district with digital 
signals: WEWS, a Scripps Howard Station and WKYC, a Gannett owned 
station, are leading the charge into the digital future.
  Across the country, local broadcasters have made substantial 
investments in new transmitting facilities, new production equipment, 
and in some cases, new broadcast towers. Collectively, the broadcast 
industry has invested over one billion dollars in this new technology.
  While local broadcasters are doing their part to propel the digital 
television transition forward, all the pieces of this transition have 
yet to fall into place. The transition will accelerate significantly 
once cable companies begin to carry local broadcasters' digital 
signals. 70% of U.S. television households receive their TV through 
cable. American consumers will begin to reap the full benefits of this 
revolution once digital television is available on cable.
  I hope that Congress can work with these different groups: 
broadcasters and cable operators, and other interested parties on 
remaining issues. Until then, however, I am confident the future of 
television is digital. And that future is bright.

                          ____________________