Citizens for HDTV Urges Rapid Transition to HDTV; Coalition Sees Spectrum Auction as Threat to America's Technological Lead.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 1996--The future of free High Definition Television (HDTV) in the United States will be in jeopardy if Congress enacts a controversial proposal to auction off the necessary digital spectrum, rather than temporarily lending it to broadcasters, announced a new broad-based coalition today.

The coalition, Citizens for HDTV, was formed to promote the rapid adoption and implementation of digital high-definition television in the United States. Urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt the digital HDTV system recommended by the FCC Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Services (ACATS), the coalition said an accelerated transition to HDTV will:

- Revolutionize the television viewing experience for consumers;

- Expand America's global lead in digital television technology;

- Create and maintain thousands of high-tech American jobs, and

- Preserve the availability of free, over-the-air television.

Linda Golodner, president of the National Consumers League, commented, "It's clear that consumers want HDTV and we believe it should be available to all consumers without the fear of having to pay for news, sports, or educational programming. Granting the temporary spectrum licenses would ensure the future viability of free, over-the-air broadcast television."

These important benefits will be jeopardized if HDTV is delayed, argues Citizens for HDTV, which represents consumers, retailers, manufacturers, labor and senior groups.

"A Congressional requirement for a spectrum auction would effectively deny free HDTV to millions of Americans and delay the introduction of an important new technology, thus thwarting economic growth and job creation," stated Dr. James E. Carnes, president and CEO of the David Sarnoff Research Center.

"America leads the high-stakes global race in the development of digital television, a technology that delivers the ultimate viewing experience for consumers while creating tens of thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs for American workers." -0-

Member of the Citizens for HDTV Coalition include:

Communications Workers of America/National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association Digital HDTV Grand Alliance Digital Multimedia Compression, Inc. EIA ATV Committee Electronic Representatives Association Home Recording Rights Coalition Home Theater Magazine International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Union of Electronic and Electrical Salaried Machine and Furniture Workers

National Consumers League National Council of Senior Citizens North American Retail

Dealers Association Professional AudioVideo Retailers Association WideScreen Review Magazine

CONTACT: EIA

Cynthia Upson, 703/527-7001