FCC Chief: NASCAR Crash Good For Digital TV - Kevin Martin "Americans watched the accident".

tvpredictions.com ^ | November 11, 2008 | Phillip Swann

[Las Vegas Dave]

For the second straight time, a FCC-sponsored NASCAR auto, designed to promote next year's Digital TV transition, has been involved in an accident.

But FCC Chairman Kevin Martin says that's a good thing.

"Except for the cars that win the races, the cars that are in wrecks get a lot of attention," Martin told reporters Monday, according to Reuters.

Martin and the FCC have been under fire for spending $350,000 to sponsor the car which promotes a web site (DTV.gov) notifying Americans about the digital transition which takes place on February 17, 2009.

The Wall Street Journal reports that watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste awarded Martin its October "Porker of the Month' trophy for “using taxpayer funds on an unnecessary project, diverting focus from more important telecommunications concerns, recklessly spending without consulting with his peers, and attempting to use his influence to shore up his own political prospects.”

Martin, who is from North Carolina and reportedly has plans to run for office there someday, chose the car driven by fellow North Carolinian David Gilliland as the FCC-sponsored vehicle. The CAG said Martin picked his home state's driver for political reasons. (The FCC chairman also chose Wilmington, North Carolina as the first test site for the nation's switch to digital.)

Martin has defended the NASCAR appropriation, saying that the promotion will reach more Americans who are unaware of next February's switch to digital.

But on Sunday, a nine-car accident during a NASCAR race in Arizona caused the FCC-sponsored vehicle to be towed off the track before it could complete the race. The car also crashed last month during a race in Virginia.

In related news, Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen said yesterday that he thinks it's likely that the federal government will be forced to delay the digital transition because of a lack of preparedness.

"I've been going to Washington for a long time now and I think if the new administration comes in and if they see that consumers -- that the transition is not ready and that consumers could lose their signal -- Congress is going to go out to protect consumers (and delay the transition date.)," Ergen said.

[Las Vegas Dave]

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Las Vegas Dave

[Las Vegas Dave]

Pinging the HDTV list.. HDTV pings!

[Recovering_Democrat]

fyi

[G Larry]

“...recklessly spending ...”

Hey! The story just said they’d had their 2nd wreck, so clearly, their spending is NOT “reckless”!

[Right Wing Assault]

Forget the race car. Just take video of these accidents and run them as commercials.

[Thrownatbirth]

It can’t be the driver’s fault; he’s a good Republican!

[TheRightGuy]

if the new administration comes in and if they see that consumers -- that the transition is not ready and that consumers could lose their signal

I can just see obama channeling dan rather ... "what's the frequency ..."

[weegee]

I see it as a good thing when millions of Americans tune out the MSM and President Elect “Senator Government”.

[moonhawk]

“In related news, Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen said yesterday that he thinks it’s likely that the federal government will be forced to delay the digital transition because of a lack of preparedness.”

Hmmmm....

No ABC, CBS, NBC, for a few weeks?

Tell me again how that’s a bad thing?

[Vaduz]

Forced Digital TV transition=da gov ment in action.

[Cuttnhorse]

I wonder if businesses can figure out a way to advertise on vehicles involved in car chases...think of all the advertising that they would get on FOX NEWS.

[NCC-1701]

Forced Digital TV transition=on-screen logos in HIDEF.

I wish the broadcasters would give us, the viewing public, the choice of whether or not we want them on our screens. I hate those things. When NASA TV started putting their logo on-screen, that game was over.

Oh, and one more thing. Those on-screen graphics and view-obstructing banners will sure look a lot better in HIDEF. Sheeeesh, give us a break.

[Constitution Day]

It can’t be the driver’s fault; he’s a good Republican!

Then it IS the driver's fault.

Good Republicans don't know how to turn left!

[TC Rider]

Hey! The story just said they’d had their 2nd wreck, so clearly, their spending is NOT “reckless”!

So far a better record that NC's governor, Mike "Get out of the way" Easly.

[Nowhere Man]

I wish the broadcasters would give us, the viewing public, the choice of whether or not we want them on our screens. I hate those things. When NASA TV started putting their logo on-screen, that game was over.

Oh, and one more thing. Those on-screen graphics and view-obstructing banners will sure look a lot better in HIDEF. Sheeeesh, give us a break.

Those graphics in the corners are called "bugs," at least according to the other forum I visit, Audiokarma, that focuses on old TV's, radios, stereos, etc as well as current events in electronics, TV, radio. I remember last year, Mom and I watched, "It's a Wonderful Life" and NBC constantly kept the bug on the TV as well as having a few other bugs crawl on the bottem advertising this or that program. Mom and I were getting more ticked.

Well, I guess if you are sick of the bugs that sit in the corner, find an old color TV with the round screen, aka "a roundie," you know those old color sets they had in the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's, that way, you won't see the bug" because the round screen cuts it off.

[tubebender]

Big Nascar News day...

[tubebender]

I remember watching FDR on one of those color sets in 1929...

[B4Ranch]

I will admit to chuckling when #38 tried to get traction off of the Digital TV hood. The driver hopped out pretty darn quick.

[Nowhere Man]

remember watching FDR on one of those color sets in 1929...

LOL!

[SouthTexas]

I got an HD, but missed the wreck.