Goodwill to Help Educate Public on Transition from Analog to Digital TV
(If you still use TV antennas, you should read this story)

Rockville, MD — Goodwill has joined a diverse coalition of private industry, trade associations, civil rights organizations and community groups that will work together on a comprehensive consumer education campaign to increase awareness of the transition from analog to digital television in the United States, expected to be complete on February 17, 2009.

The mission of the DTV Transition Coalition is to ensure no consumer is left without free broadcast television due to a lack of information about the transition. Nearly 20 million households that rely solely on over-the-air television signals will be affected by the end of analog broadcasting. Millions more households that receive over-the-air signals on secondary TV sets will also be affected.

“Goodwill Industries can potentially reach millions of consumers through our network of community-based Goodwill agencies and 6,000-some career centers, donation sites and retail stores,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Television is an important medium for relaying information, entertainment, news and services. Any organization with access to a broad section of society has a responsibility to be part of this educational effort.”

When you visit a Goodwill of Greater Washington Retail Store you will now see notices throughout our television department stating the limitations of using analog televisions after the transition to digital broadcasting is complete in 2009.

Americans will be given critical information on the transition such as the availability of two $40 coupons per household to purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes starting January 2008. For more information about the transition to DTV, visit www.dtvtransition.org.