Federal Communications Commission FCC 09-2   
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
Re: Implementation of Short-Term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act, 
Establishment of DTV Transition “Analog Nightlight” Program, MB Docket 08-255.
Having just returned from Town Hall meetings in Detroit, Michigan and Bristol Virginia, 
I continue to be deeply concerned about the state of our preparations for the DTV transition. We 
are nowhere near as ready as we could have been—and should have been—at this late date. At 
this point, the question is not whether there will be disruption, but how widespread the 
disruption will be and how quickly we can restore service to those who may lose it.  
In that context, this Order is a welcome piece of good news. It will provide crucial 
information to consumers who are unprepared for the transition and would otherwise wake up on 
February 18 to a blank screen. I particularly commend Senator Jay Rockefeller and 
Representative Lois Capps for introducing the legislation and Congress for enacting it so 
quickly. I also commend NAB/MSTV for submitting a list of eligible stations that permits us to 
cover far more markets with Nightlight service than our original proposal would have covered.
Finally, I commend our own FCC staff for their impressive and thoughtful work under extremely 
tight deadlines. I would add that many, many members of our FCC team are spending countless 
hours in trying to shepherd the DTV Transition to a successful outcome, and we are very, very 
much in their debt for both the good work they are doing and for the dedication they bring to a 
hugely difficult challenge.