[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PORTLAND, OREGON AWARDED DIGITAL TV ZONE

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to 
congratulate the city of Portland for recently being awarded the 
``Digital TV Zone'' distinction by the National Association of 
Broadcasters and the Consumers Electronics Association.
  In Portland my constituents are already served by a number of free, 
over-the-air, digital signals. Portland stations broadcasting in 
digital include: KPDX, a Meredith Corporation owned FOX affiliate; 
KPTV, a FOX owned UPN affiliate; KGW, a Belo Corporation owned NBC 
affiliate; KOIN, an Emmis Communications owned CBS affiliate; KATU, a 
Fisher Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate and KOPB, Oregon's local PBS 
station.
  The Digital TV Zone distinction, recognizes Portland as a technology 
leader for having all of its local network affiliated stations 
broadcasting in digital.
  However, the distinction means more than just that. As part of the 
Digital TV Zone project, these local stations undertook an awareness 
campaign to educate Portland consumers about the digital television 
future. The stations pooled their resources to host digital watch 
parties in local restaurants and consumer outlets.
  The stations posted digital sets in high traffic areas throughout the 
city like the Rose Garden Arena, the Oregon History Center, and the 
Portland City Hall. In these venues, Portlanders could see local 
digital signals displayed in all their glory on High-definition digital 
television sets.
  The stations spent their own revenue airing an advertisement that 
explains the benefits of digital television to viewers. Some of you may 
have seen this advertisement. It was entitled ``Time Marches On,'' a 
reference to how digital television and Portland's digital stations are 
looking towards the future.
  All of these activities worked in tandem to spread the news of 
digital television among Portland consumers, my constituents.
  I am proud of these stations for making the leap into the digital 
future. I know it is not an inexpensive undertaking. Stations 
converting to digital must purchase new transmission facilities and 
often, they must erect new broadcast towers. Once they are on the air 
in digital, they must broadcast two signals simultaneously: their new 
digital signal and an analog signal to continue serving viewers who 
can't yet receive digital signals. Despite the costs, these local 
Portland stations have invested in digital television and for that they 
should be commended.
  For those who are not familiar with digital television, let me say 
that it is the next exciting step in TV. Digital television's capacity 
makes High Definition broadcasting possible, bringing viewers enhanced 
viewing resolution and sound. Moreover, the capacity can also allow 
stations to ``multi-cast'' or provide multiple programs simultaneously, 
giving viewers more programming options and allowing stations to convey 
even more information over the airwaves.
  As with every other technological advance, there will be challenges 
before consumers can fully benefit from everything digital television 
offers. The American consumer will need to embrace digital television 
for it to catch on. That is why I am so proud of these Portland 
stations. Not only have they invested in the technology of digital 
television, they have invested to see that the technology takes hold 
among consumers. These stations are small businesses like any other. 
They have payroll to fulfill; they must pay overhead. I think it is 
commendable that they have shown such a commitment to the future of 
free, over-the-air television through the ``Digital Television Zone'' 
program.

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