ADVISORY Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 4, 2009 Rick Kaplan, 202-418-1728 Email: rick.kaplan@fcc.gov Mark Wigfield 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission is making free house calls to help consumers struggling with the transition to digital television. In-home services include set-up of a digital television (DTV) converter box, indoor antenna adjustments, and hooking up analog VCRs to a converter. Among those making house calls in some communities are members of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, along with firefighters through the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Most services will be provided by contractors hired by the FCC, who are prepared to visit around 200,000 homes over the course of the transition if needed. For help, call 1-888CALL-FCC now: The transition is only eight days away. Or visit www.dtv.gov and enter your zip code or state in the upper right-hand corner of the page to find local events, assistance and information. On June 12, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop analog broadcast service and transmit only digital signals. Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services and have older, analog televisions will need to have digital-to-analog converter boxes attached to their televisions in order to continue receiving over-the-air television programming. They may also need to adjust or upgrade their television set-top antennas. -FCC- Resources for reporters covering the DTV transition are available in the DTV Media Toolkit at http://www.dtv.gov/media_toolkit.html 8 DAYS AND COUNTING TO DTV TRANSITION Free In-home Installation Available for Consumers in Many Markets · There are 34 contractors hired temporarily by the FCC around the country capable of providing about 200,000 free in-home converter box installations. In addition to those, many local firefighters and AmeriCorps volunteers are providing free in-home assistance with converter box installations. · Well over 500 walk-in centers and clinics are open nation-wide with technical staff in place to assist consumers with questions about the transition, and provide on-site demonstrations and converter box installations. · Consumer information, including converter box installation instructions, are available in English and Spanish by visiting www.dtv.gov or calling 1-888- CALL-FCC.