FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
May 24, 2000                            David Fiske 202-418-0513
                                                               Michelle Russo 202-418-2358
                                   


          STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD
                       ON NCTA/CEA LETTER
     
     I am pleased that the cable and electronics industries are continuing to press forward with
industry solutions to resolve outstanding issues regarding compatibility between cable television
systems and digital television receivers, set top boxes and other consumer electronics equipment.

     NCTA and CEA have written the Commission today with their proposed consensus
agreement on how to label DTV receivers with different features, including two-way interactive
capability. We will study their agreement with great interest.

     Today is also the deadline for filing initial comments in the FCC's rulemaking proceeding
on this issue and the copy protection issue.

     Final resolution of these issues will contribute significantly to the swift roll-out of digital
television capabilities to the American public.

                            - FCC -