Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
1
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
 
Plano, TX
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)
)
)
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File Number EB-07-RC-005 
Acct. No. 200832200003
FRN:  0012261228
ORDER
Adopted: June 11, 2008 Released:  June 13, 2008
By the Enforcement Bureau: 
1. In this Order, we adopt the attached Consent Decree entered into between the 
Enforcement Bureau (“Bureau”) and Rent-A-Center, Inc. (“Rent-A-Center”).  The Consent Decree 
terminates an investigation by the Bureau against Rent-A-Center for possible violations of Section 
15.117(k) of the Commission’s Rules regarding the labeling of television receiving equipment that 
contains an analog broadcast television tuner but does not contain a digital broadcast television tuner. 
2. The Bureau and Rent-A-Center have negotiated the terms of the Consent Decree that 
resolve this matter.  A copy of the Consent Decree is attached hereto and incorporated by reference.  
3. After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts before us, we 
find that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decree and terminating the 
investigation.
4. In the absence of material new evidence relating to this matter, we conclude that our 
investigation raises no substantial or material questions of fact as to whether Rent-A-Center possesses the 
basic qualifications, including those related to character, to hold or obtain any Commission license or 
authorization.    
5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 4(i) of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended,1 and Sections 0.111 and 0.311 of the Commission’s Rules,2 the Consent Decree 
attached to this Order IS ADOPTED.
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the above-captioned investigation IS 
TERMINATED.
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Rent-A-Center, Inc. shall make its voluntary 
contribution to the United States Treasury, as specified in the Consent Decree, by mailing a check or 
  
1 47 U.S.C. § 154(i).
2 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.111, 0.311.
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similar instrument payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission, to Federal 
Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.  Payment by overnight mail 
may be sent to U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. 
Louis, MO 63101.  Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank 
TREAS/NYC, and account number 27000001.  For payment by credit card, an FCC Form 159 
(Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the NAL/Account 
number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID), and enter the letters “FORF” in block number 24A 
(payment type code).  Rent-A-Center shall also send electronic notification on the date said payment is 
made to NER-Response@fcc.gov.
8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Rent-A-Center, Inc. will file reports with the 
Commission ninety days after the Effective Date and on July 9, 2009.  Each report shall include a 
compliance certificate from an officer, as an agent of Rent-A-Center, stating that the officer has personal 
knowledge that Rent-A-Center has established operating procedures intended to ensure compliance with 
this Consent Decree, together with an accompanying statement explaining the basis for the officer’s 
compliance certification.  All reports shall be submitted to Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, Spectrum 
Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 and by e-mail at Kathy.Berthot@fcc.gov.
9. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order and Consent Decree shall be 
sent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to Rent-A-Center, Inc., at its address of 
record.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Kris Anne Monteith
Chief, Enforcement Bureau
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
3
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
Plano, TX
)
)
)
)
)
File Number EB-07-RC-005
Acct. No. 200832200003
FRN 0012261228
CONSENT DECREE
1. The Enforcement Bureau (“Bureau”) of the Federal Communications Commission (the 
“Commission” or “FCC”) and Rent-A-Center, Inc., including its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively 
“Rent-A-Center”), by their respective authorized representatives, hereby enter into this Consent Decree 
for the purpose of terminating the Bureau’s Investigation into Rent-A-Center’s compliance with the 
Commission’s regulations in 47 C.F.R. § 15.117(k) regarding the labeling of television receiving 
equipment that contains an analog broadcast television tuner but does not contain a digital broadcast 
television tuner. 
2. For the purposes of this Consent Decree, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Act” means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151
et seq.
(b) “Adopting Order” means an Order of the Commission adopting the terms of 
this Consent Decree without change, addition, deletion, or modification.
(c) “Analog-only television receiving equipment” means television receiving 
equipment that contains an analog broadcast television tuner but does not 
contain a digital broadcast television tuner.
(d) “Bureau” means the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications 
Commission.
(e) “Citation” means the citations issued by the Bureau or the Commission 
between May 29, 2007, and the Effective Date alleging violations by Rent-A-
Center of Section 15.117(k) of the Commission’s Rules.
(f) “Commission” or “FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission 
and all its bureaus and offices.
(g) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Commission releases the 
Adopting Order.
(h) “Investigation” means the investigation initiated by the Bureau regarding 
Rent-A-Center’s compliance through the Effective Date with Section 
15.117(k) of the Commission’s Rules regarding the labeling of television 
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
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receiving equipment that contains an analog broadcast television tuner but 
does not contain a digital broadcast television (“DTV”) tuner.
(i) “Parties” means Rent-A-Center and the Bureau.
(j) “Rent-A-Center” means Rent-A-Center, Inc. and its predecessors in interest 
and its successors in interest.  
(k) “Rules” means the Commission’s regulations found in Title 47 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations.
I. BACKGROUND
3. To ensure that consumers do not inadvertently buy analog-only television receiving 
equipment without understanding that such devices will not be capable of receiving off-the-air television 
reception of digital signals after analog broadcasting ends unless connected to a digital-to-analog 
converter or a digital subscription service, the Commission adopted rules requiring anyone that sells, 
offers for sale, or rents television receiving equipment that does not contain a DTV tuner to display a 
Consumer Alert at the point of sale.3 This requirement also applies to the sale or rent of analog-only 
television receiving equipment via direct mail, catalog, or electronic means (e.g., the Internet).  These 
requirements are contained in Section 15.117(k) of the Rules, which became effective on May 25, 2007.4
4. Section 15.117(k)(3) of the Rules requires that the Consumer Alert contain the following 
language:
The Consumer Alert must be in a size of type large enough to be clear, conspicuous and readily legible, 
consistent with the dimensions of the equipment and the label.  The alert either must be printed on a 
transparent material and affixed to the screen, in a manner that is removable by the consumer and does 
not obscure the picture when displayed for sale, or displayed separately immediately adjacent to each 
television receiver offered for sale and clearly associated with the analog-only model to which it pertains.  
In the case of other analog-only video devices that do not include a display (e.g., VCRs, DVD players), 
the Consumer Alert must be in a prominent location on the device, such as on the top or front, or 
displayed separately immediately adjacent to and clearly associated with the analog-only model to which 
  
3 Second Periodic Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion To 
Digital Television, Second Report and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 8776 (2007) (“Second DTV Periodic 
Report and Order”).
4 Second Periodic Review in the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to 
Digital Television, 72 Fed. Reg. 28894-01 (May 23, 2007).
CONSUMER ALERT
This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after 
February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s 
transition to digital broadcasting.  Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable 
and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products.  For more 
information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-
5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
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it pertains. To the extent that any persons display or offer for sale or rent via direct mail, catalog, or 
electronic means analog-only television receiving equipment, they must prominently display the 
Consumer Alert as part of all advertisements or descriptions of such television receiving equipment, in 
clear and conspicuous print, and in close proximity to any images or descriptions of such equipment.  
5. Immediately after the rule became effective, the Bureau began inspecting stores throughout 
the country, as well as popular retailer websites, and observed many models of analog-only television 
receiving equipment on display without the required Consumer Alert labels.  Beginning on or about May 29, 
2007, the Bureau conducted inspections at multiple retailer locations.  Based on those inspections, and 
relying on publicly available information, the Bureau issued a Citation to Rent-A-Center on June 21, 2007 
for alleged violations of Section 15.117(k) at its stores.  
6. Immediately after receiving the Citation, Rent-A-Center instructed all of its stores on June 
22, 2007 to post “Analog Only” price toppers5 on top of the price tag for each displayed analog product 
and the Consumer Alert in two different places on Rent-A-Center’s electronics wall where all electronics 
products are displayed.  In addition, on August 8, 2007, Rent-A-Center began using a form -- in both 
English and Spanish -- that a consumer would sign when renting an analog product to provide the 
consumer with actual notice of the impending change from analog signal to digital.  This form was 
printed out every time an analog product’s code was input into Rent-A-Center’s computer system to be 
rented.  Since that date, anyone who has rented an analog-only television receiver has received actual 
notice of the FCC’s Consumer Alert.  
7. After affording Rent-A-Center a reasonable opportunity to respond to the first Citation, 
agents and investigators from the Enforcement Bureau inspected Rent-A-Center stores in various states and 
observed television receiving equipment with analog-only tuners on display apparently without the required 
Consumer Alert labels.
II. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
8. The Parties agree that the provisions of this Consent Decree shall be subject to final 
approval by the Commission by incorporation of such provisions by reference in the Adopting Order.
9. The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Consent Decree shall constitute a final 
settlement between the Parties of the Investigation.  In express reliance on the covenants and 
representations in this Consent Decree, the Commission agrees to terminate the Investigation without any 
finding of liability on the part of Rent-A-Center.  In consideration for the termination of the Investigation 
and in accordance with the terms of this Consent Decree, Rent-A-Center agrees to the terms, conditions, 
and procedures contained herein.  
10. The Parties agree that this Consent Decree shall become binding on the Parties on the 
date the Bureau releases the Adopting Order.  Upon release, the Adopting Order and this Consent Decree 
shall have the same force and effect as any other final order of the Bureau order, entitling the Bureau to 
exercise any rights and remedies attendant to the enforcement of a Commission order.
11. The Parties agree that this Consent Decree does not constitute either an adjudication on 
the merits or a factual or legal finding or determination regarding any compliance or noncompliance with 
  
5 A “price topper” is a card that slides behind the price card in a price card frame so it may be 
seen from behind the price card; thus, the "price tag topper" has an additional message that is 
displayed above the price card.
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
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the requirements of the Act or the Commission’s rules and orders.  The Parties agree that this Consent 
Decree is for settlement purposes only and that by agreeing to this Consent Decree, Rent-A-Center does 
not admit or deny noncompliance, violation or liability for violating the Act or the Rules in connection 
with the matters that are the subject of this Consent Decree.
12. Compliance Plan.  
(a) Customers who purchased analog-only television receivers between May 29 and 
August 7, 2007.  Within 30 days of the Effective Date, Rent-A-Center will write to 
all customers by U.S. Mail for whom Rent-A-Center has an address who purchased 
an analog-only television receiver device between May 29, 2007 and August 7, 2007.    
Upon a customer’s request, Rent-A-Center will provide an analog converter box at no 
additional cost or charge to any customer who provides a receipt establishing proof of 
purchase of an analog-only product from Rent-A-Center between May 29, 2007 and 
August 7, 2007.  Rent-A-Center will establish a toll-free phone number for 
customers’ use for purposes of requesting an analog converter box.    
(b) Customers who rented analog-only television receivers between May 29 and 
August 7, 2007.   On or before December 1, 2008, Rent-A-Center will write to all 
customers who rented an analog-only television receiver device between May 29, 
2007 and August 7, 2007 and are still renting that device, and upon the customer’s 
request, provide them an analog converter box at no additional cost or charge by 
calling Rent-A-Center at a toll-free phone number.  
(c) Other rental customers.  For rental customers who are in good standing on their 
rental agreements and do not have cable or satellite television service, Rent-A-Center 
will honor customer requests to switch an analog-only product for a comparable 
digital product in stock at the Rent-A-Center store where the customer’s contract is 
serviced as part of Rent-a-Center’s Worry Free Guarantee and will apply all 
payments on the analog-only product to the digital product.  Rent-A-Center will 
handle such customer requests upon request, in the ordinary course of its business.   
13. Compliance Reports.  Rent-A-Center will file compliance reports with the Commission 
ninety days after the Effective Date and on July 9, 2009.  Each compliance report shall include a 
compliance certificate from an officer, as an agent of Rent-A-Center, stating that the officer has personal 
knowledge that Rent-A-Center has established operating procedures intended to ensure compliance with
this Consent Decree, together with an accompanying statement explaining the basis for the officer’s 
compliance certification.  All compliance reports shall be submitted to Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, 
Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th 
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 and at Kathy.Berthot@fcc.gov. 
14. Termination Date.  Unless stated otherwise, the requirements of this Consent Decree 
will expire July 9, 2009.
15. Voluntary Contribution.  Rent-A-Center agrees that it will make a voluntary 
contribution to the United States Treasury in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) within 
thirty (30) calendar days from the Effective Date.  Rent-A-Center will make this contribution without 
further protest or recourse, by check or similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal 
Communications Commission.  The payment must include the File No. and FRN No. referenced in the 
Adopting Order.  Payment by check or money order may be mailed to the Federal Communications 
Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO  63197-9000.  Payment by overnight mail may be sent to 
U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox # 979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO  
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
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63101.  Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank 
TREAS/NYC, and account number 27000001.  For payment by credit card, an FCC Form 159 
(Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the NAL/Account 
number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID), and enter the letters “FORF” in block number 24A 
(payment type code).  Rent-A-Center shall also send electronic notification on the date said payment is 
made to Sharon.Webber@fcc.gov.
16. From and after the Effective Date, the Bureau agrees that, in the absence of new material 
evidence, it will not institute, on its own motion or in response to third-party objection, any new 
proceeding, formal or informal, or take any action on its own motion against Rent-A-Center for possible 
past violations of Section 15.117(k) of the Commission’s rules regarding the labeling of analog-only 
television receiving equipment prior to the Effective Date.  Absent intentional or negligent 
misrepresentation by Rent-A-Center, newly discovered evidence of violations of Section 15.117(k) prior 
to the Effective Date shall not be considered “new material evidence.”  
17. Except as expressly provided in this Consent Decree, nothing herein shall prevent the 
Commission or its delegated authority from investigating Rent-A-Center’s compliance with the Act, the 
Commission’s rules, or this Consent Decree.  
18. Rent-A-Center waives any and all rights it may have to seek administrative or judicial 
reconsideration, review, appeal or stay or to otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Consent
Decree and the Adopting Order, including challenges based on the Commission’s jurisdiction over the 
matters considered in this Consent Decree and the Commission’s authority to enter into or adopt this 
Consent Decree, provided the Adopting Order adopts this Consent Decree without change, addition, or 
modification.  Rent-A-Center shall retain the right to challenge Commission interpretation of the Consent 
Decree or any terms contained herein.  Rent-A-Center does not waive any defenses, jurisdictional or 
otherwise, to any Commission prosecution of a violation not covered by this Consent Decree, including 
but not limited to any violation of 47 C.F.R. § 15.117(k) alleged to have occurred subsequent to the 
Effective Date.
19. Rent-A-Center’s decision to enter this Consent Decree is expressly contingent upon the 
Commission’s issuance of the Adopting Order without change, addition, or modification of the Consent 
Decree.
20. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall preclude Rent-A-Center from petitioning the 
Commission for relief as to future obligations under Section 15.117(k) of the Commission's Rules.
21. In the event that this Consent Decree is rendered invalid by any court of competent 
jurisdiction, it shall become null and void and may not be used in any manner in any legal proceeding.
22. The Parties agree that if either Party (or the United States on behalf of the Commission), 
brings a judicial action to enforce the terms of the Adopting Order, neither Rent-A-Center nor the 
Commission shall contest the validity of the Consent Decree or the Adopting Order, and Rent-A-Center 
will waive any statutory right to a trial de novo regarding the terms or validity of the Consent Decree.  
Rent-A-Center, however, may present evidence that it has not violated the Consent Decree.
23. Rent-A-Center agrees that any violation of any term of this Consent Decree shall 
constitute a separate violation of a Commission order, entitling the Commission to exercise any rights and 
remedies attendant to the enforcement of a Commission order.
24. The Parties agree that if any provision of the Consent Decree conflicts with any 
subsequent rule or order adopted by the Commission (except an order specifically intended to revise the 
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1390
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terms of this Consent Decree to which Rent-A-Center does not consent), that provision will be superseded 
by such Commission rule or order.
25. This Consent Decree cannot be modified without the advance written consent of both 
Parties.
26. This Consent Decree may be signed in counterparts.
For the Enforcement Bureau:
____________________________
Kris Anne Monteith
Chief, Enforcement Bureau
____________________________
Date
For Rent-A-Center, Inc.:
____________________________
Ron DeMoss
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
____________________________
Date