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DTV Sales Call Raises Ire of NAB
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The National Association of Broadcasters had strong words for a satellite TV retail establishment that apparently made sales calls to consumers allegedly containing misleading statements about the digital TV transition.
But could the whole episode really become much ado about nothing?
At issue is a story appearing on MSNBC.com last week that found the retailer in question leaving a voice mail for local consumers that stated the digital TV transition is set for November. While a PBS station in a nearby market is making an early digital TV switch next month, other Michigan stations and TV outlets across the continental U.S. will make the transition on Feb. 17, 2009.
The retailer in question, a seller of DISH Network services based in Michigan, did not want to comment for this article.
In a statement released Friday, DISH said the situation "was a misunderstanding on the part of the retailer and has been resolved." Representatives from the retailer believed the switch would occur in Flint, Mich., in November (the PBS outlet making the transition). Because of that the thinking at the retail establishment was next month is the official digital TV transition for all of the state, the company said.
"DISH Network takes these matters seriously, and when we were first notified of the allegations, we reached out to the retailer immediately," the company said. DISH added that the retailer "was very apologetic and has immediately ceased referencing November as the month of Michigan's transition. The retailer representatives are now informed that the true transition for all of Michigan will not occur until Feb. 17, 2009."
Nonetheless, when NAB got word of the retailer push, the broadcaster group pointed out the sales pitch and similar past actions by other pay-TV outlets.
"As the transition to digital TV draws near, NAB and broadcasters across America will continue our unprecedented $1 billion effort to provide viewers with the most accurate information about the transition and the benefits of digital TV," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. "We would encourage policymakers to review whether cable and satellite operators are doing likewise."
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The National Association of Broadcasters had strong words for a satellite TV retail establishment that apparently made sales calls to consumers allegedly containing misleading statements about the digital TV transition.
But could the whole episode really become much ado about nothing?
At issue is a story appearing on MSNBC.com last week that found the retailer in question leaving a voice mail for local consumers that stated the digital TV transition is set for November. While a PBS station in a nearby market is making an early digital TV switch next month, other Michigan stations and TV outlets across the continental U.S. will make the transition on Feb. 17, 2009.
The retailer in question, a seller of DISH Network services based in Michigan, did not want to comment for this article.
In a statement released Friday, DISH said the situation "was a misunderstanding on the part of the retailer and has been resolved." Representatives from the retailer believed the switch would occur in Flint, Mich., in November (the PBS outlet making the transition). Because of that the thinking at the retail establishment was next month is the official digital TV transition for all of the state, the company said.
"DISH Network takes these matters seriously, and when we were first notified of the allegations, we reached out to the retailer immediately," the company said. DISH added that the retailer "was very apologetic and has immediately ceased referencing November as the month of Michigan's transition. The retailer representatives are now informed that the true transition for all of Michigan will not occur until Feb. 17, 2009."
Nonetheless, when NAB got word of the retailer push, the broadcaster group pointed out the sales pitch and similar past actions by other pay-TV outlets.
"As the transition to digital TV draws near, NAB and broadcasters across America will continue our unprecedented $1 billion effort to provide viewers with the most accurate information about the transition and the benefits of digital TV," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. "We would encourage policymakers to review whether cable and satellite operators are doing likewise."
