Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein reacted: "Launching a consumer outreach initiative is a positive step, but we're disheartened that the Chairman failed to include consumer and public interest representatives in today's important initiative."

Copps stated: "Today's event highlights what has been missing in the FCC's view of the digital transition. There is a potential for this new digital reality to be a real boost for localism, competition and diversity. But if the American people are to realize the full benefits of DTV, we have to call the public interest issues forward comprehensively and accord them the urgent and high priority they deserve."

"Moving the DTV transition forward is important," Adelstein stated. "But by failing for the past four years to establish meaningful public interest protections for digital television, we've kept viewers in the dark on the full benefits this transition could bring to them."

The digital transition holds the promise of transforming the television experience by providing consumers new and valuable services and offering broadcasters new and valuable business opportunities. "With increasing pressure to end this transition, we really can't delay any longer in bringing some certainty for both broadcasters and the public on the public interest obligations," the Commissioners stated.