FCC enlists government workers to tackle urgent problem of switching home tvs from analog

MultiChannel News, "FCC Launches Americorp DTV Effort-49 Markets Deemed to be AT-RISK" (horrors):

• 3/27/09: "The Federal Communications Commission is teaming with AmeriCorp's National Civilian Community Corps for
• DTV outreach.

The FCC and NTIA have identified 49 DTV at-risk markets that data suggest are the

• least prepared for the switch from analog, including the FCC's own hometown of Washington, D.C. (number 49 on the list).

• The FCC, which has asked for $65 million from the stimulus package's DTV money for outreach and other

• DTV transition-related expenses,

said Friday that it had signed an interagency agreement that will send AmeriCorps volunteers (ages 18 to 24) into the homes of target populations -- minorities, elderly, the disabled -- to help them connect antennas and converter boxes,

• or help them apply for the $40 government coupons to buy the boxes."

(The 'volunteers' are supported in part by US taxpayers. A bill just passed to expand AmeriCorps at a cost to taxpayers of $5.7 billion over 5 years).

• (MultiChannel, continuing): "They will also help with community events and at walk-in help centers, starting with Denver (#15) as a test market.

Training begins next week in advance of a mid-April transition for some stations there, including two major network affiliates, according to the FCC.

• Denver is also home to one of the five NCCC (residential) campuses.

The others are Sacramento, Calif.; Perry Point, Md.; Vicksburg, Miss.; and Vinton, Iowa.

• FCC staffers will train and coordinate the teams of NCCC members -- eight to 12 in each community."

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