WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A pending mandatory switch of all U.S. televisions to digital will be messy, a federal communications official said on Tuesday, urging broadcasters to step up local efforts to educate the public.
Broadcasters have the most to lose if viewers' screens fade to black when analog signals are turned off, said Robert McDowell, a Republican on the five-member Federal Communications Commission (FCC), urging broadcasters to tailor informational campaigns to local markets.
Congress ordered the switch to digital, effective February 17, to free up public airwaves for other uses, such as for police and fire departments.
Despite a wide-ranging education campaign by the government and broadcasters, consumers are likely to face glitches, McDowell said.
"The transition will be messy ... but we will get through it," he said.