(24 November 2008 6:30 pm)

MUMBAI: The National Association of Broadcasters (Nab) in the US has applauded Senate passage of legislation, granting stations the ability to voluntarily broadcast in analogue format a digital TV informational message or emergency information in the days following the DTV transition on 17 February, 2009.

The Short-term Analogue Flash and Emergency Readiness Act introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller was approved in the Senate by unanimous consent.

Similar legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Lois Capps. Last month, the Nab Television Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution to support both bills.

Nab executive VP Dennis Wharton says, "Coupled with our billion dollar campaign to educate Americans on the digital TV transition, this timely legislation will give broadcasters one final resource to ensure that no TV viewer is left behind due to insufficient information. We applaud Sen. Rockefeller and his colleagues, and encourage House lawmakers to adopt similar legislation offered by Rep. Capps."