On the eve of today’s deadline for completing the nationwide digital television (DTV) transition, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) wrote to the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to voice his concerns over the estimated 3.1 million U.S. television households that remain unprepared for today’s mandated shutdown of analog signal service. Rockefeller—the force behind the DTV Delay Act that moved the nationwide analog shut-off date from February 17 to June 12—told the FCC and NTIA that he remains concerned “that millions of consumers are still unaware of the transition and are unprepared for its consequences” in spite of strides in DTV education efforts that have resulted in a 60% reduction in unprepared households since last December. According to statistics cited by Rockefeller, 2.7% of U.S. TV households, or 3.1 million residences, remained totally unprepared for the DTV transition as of May 24. Fearing that “too many households lack the in-home assistance they may need,” Rockefeller predicted that an anticipated surge in calls to the FCC and the NTIA “during the next week will challenge the ability of both the NTIA and FCC call centers to provide consumers with the help they need.” Accordingly, Rockefeller asked both agencies to provide assurances that they will continue to assist consumers who need help during the weeks that follow the transition.” Warning that viewers may be “inadequately prepared for signal losses due to changes in antenna placement and digital signal propagation and may require notification from local broadcasters,” Rockefeller further urged the NAB to ensure that at least one “nightlight” eligible station in each market offers that service, proclaiming: “your stations should not leave their viewers . . . behind without a helping hand.”