STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re:  Second Periodic Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting 
the Conversion to Digital Television, Second Report and Order
(MB Docket No. 03-15, RM-9832)
Most Americans are probably not thinking a lot about the end of the digital transition on 
February 17, 2009, but we are.  The Commission’s Rules now prohibit the manufacture, 
import, and interstate shipment of television sets that have only an analog tuner.  Such 
sets will not receive over-the-air broadcast signals after the transition unless they are 
connected to a digital-to-analog converter box, and consumers need to know that.  
Because our Rules do not prohibit the sale of analog-only sets from pre-March 1, 2007, 
inventory, the common sense labeling requirement we adopt today should help to combat 
lingering consumer confusion concerning the basic capabilities of the television sets they 
buy today and move us a step closer to a smooth and seamless digital transition. This is 
not only good for consumers but also will be good for business as well.