Mixed Signals: How TV Retailers Mislead Consumers on the Digital Television (DTV) Transition

DTV Report Summary

One year from now 22 million Americans who rely on free over-the-air analog broadcasting will be at risk of losing access to TV. On February 17, 2009, analog televisions that receive over-the-air signals will go dark, unless they are retrofitted with digital converter boxes. For many Americans who are hearing about the transition for the first time, information about the change comes from electronic store retailers, where consumers ask what is necessary to maintain TV reception-- a primary source for news, information and entertainment.

Click here to read the report

How to save money on your converter box

If you currently own an analog television, you do not need to buy a brand new television in order to continue watching television after the transition. Instead, you will need a converter box, on sale in many retail stores for $40-$70.

Each household can save money by getting coupons for $40 off the cost of up to two converter boxes. The coupons must be ordered online at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-388-2009. Coupons do not apply to fancier, multi-function converter boxes.

How You Can Help

We did a “secret shopper” survey of retailers around the country to make sure electronics stores were prepared for consumer questions about the DTV transition. We found that clerks were offering inaccurate and misleading information.

Tell Circuit City, one of the five national outlets we surveyed, to get their story straight.

Report Release in the news

Here's a sampling of the news coverage on this report across the country

Remarks of FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein on our report.
"U.S. PIRG’s small but hearty crew unearthed problems the entire consumer electronics industry and the Federal government have not fully confronted: yet another weak link in the national effort to help millions of Americans weather the DTV transition. I thank them for bringing this to light." Read more...

Stores hit for misleading on digital TV (WI)
"'Secret shoppers' have found that national TV retailers have been providing misleading or inaccurate information to consumers regarding the coming transition to digital TV, a consumer advocacy group announced today." Read more...

Retailers lack TV switch info (WI)
"The switch from analog to digital technology for television broadcasting is a year away, but the confusion is already here, according to a consumer watchdog group." Read more...

Some Retailers Mislead Customers About DTV (NC)
"Beware of what you hear about the upcoming digital television transition. A national consumer group issued that warning after it found that some retailers have been misleading consumers." Read more...

Sales staff misleading consumers about TV switch, study says (MD)
"Sales clerks at national retail chains that carry electronics have been misleading broadcast television viewers about the upcoming transition to digital television, directing them toward unnecessary purchases, a report by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group reveals." Read more...

Mixed signals on digital conversion (MA)
" A new report from the advocacy group MASSPIRG contends that many retailers are misleading consumers about next year's scheduled transition to digital television." Read more...

Reducing static on TV conversion (CO)
"Retail chains are providing inaccurate or misleading information to consumers preparing for next year's conversion to a digital TV world, a watchdog group says." Read more...

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