The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
today announced a new partnership to produce AntennaWeb.org, an online antenna
mapping program designed to help consumers and electronics retailers determine
the proper outdoor antenna to use in order to receive free local broadcast
channels. The tool is particularly valuable to consumers as the U.S. approaches
the February 17, 2009, deadline for the transition from analog to digital
television.
“Cable or satellite subscriptions are not required
for consumers to enjoy the benefits of digital television,” said NAB President and CEO David Rehr. “With the proper antenna, consumers can receive free,
over-the-air digital broadcasts with higher picture and sound quality and access
to multiple channels of free programming. Broadcast viewers can also access
interactive video and data services that are not possible with traditional
analog technology, including enhanced closed-captioning.”
AntennaWeb.org is an online interactive database that advises consumers on
the usage of an outdoor antenna to receive over-the-air television signals.
AntennaWeb users simply input their home address to determine what over-the-air
broadcast signals are available and which outdoor antenna to use. The
program’s database accounts for obstructions such as
hills, trees and buildings between the transmitter and the receiving antenna
that can interfere with a broadcast signal and affect picture quality. The
CEA/NAB partnership includes infrastructure and site capacity upgrades, site
design improvements, and database upgrades that will further improve the user
experience.
“Since its inception, AntennaWeb.org has been
CEA’s most popular online consumer resource,” said Gary Shapiro, CEA’s president
and CEO. “We’re thrilled to
partner with NAB to deliver a new site with even more capacity and educational
content as well as a new look and feel, so consumers can easily find the
information they need to learn how to receive free, over-the-air
television.”
Digital technology also enables television stations to provide free,
over-the-air high-definition television (HDTV) for consumers with HD television
sets. HDTVs are expected to account for 79 percent of total DTV shipments in the
U.S. in 2008.
“Broadcasters are committed to the DTV
transition,” said Rehr. “Our
partnership with CEA allows us to provide tools to ensure that consumers
continue to enjoy free, over-the-air television as well as all of the benefits
that DTV has to offer.”
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade
association promoting growth in the $161 billion U.S. consumer electronics
industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership,
including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and
education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic
relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All
profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry
services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.
About NAB:
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade association that
advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations
and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications
Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
