To be sure, the Commission has yet to complete the ancillary fees rulemaking, or the proceeding on commercial availability of navigation devices, or to begin the digital must-carry proceeding. And at long last, after much soul searching and angst, the networks have chosen their preferred transmission formats and have made their announcements. Digital television is really going to happen. Nowhere can the excitement be felt more than on the exhibition floor of this NAB show. It is humming with activity.
Manufacturers are out in full force, and stations are visiting the booths, checkbooks in hand.
At last year's convention, there were only a few equipment models to sample. Today, there are multiple vendors with full product lines displaying their wares. Industry groups must come together to fulfill a shared vision of a smooth transition to digital television. And that vision must be based on what the American consumer wants and needs to be enticed to join the digital revolution. This morning, as you discuss the role of broadcasters, cable, and even DBS and the Internet in delivering video programming and data services over an enormous virtual pipe to a wide swath of the population, think about each issue from the viewpoint of consumers.