Best Buy® to Boost Consumer Awareness of DTV with In-Store Education

Best Buy “Blackout Prevention” Campaign Launches in Top 25 U.S. Cities

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Best Buy is continuing its DTV education efforts with the launch of “Blackout Prevention” - a campaign designed to further educate consumers and reach those who still haven’t taken the necessary steps to prepare for DTV. Although Congress recently passed legislation to delay the DTV transition until June 12, the new law allows some broadcast stations to stop broadcasting in analog and begin broadcasting only in digital starting on February 17. The remaining stations may stop broadcasting analog sometime between March 14 and June 12. This means many consumers will need to be prepared for the analog to digital broadcast transition before the June 12 date, and Best Buy is encouraging them to act now and not delay.

Best Buy Blackout Prevention Campaign

The Blackout Prevention campaign is focused on consumer education. Part of that effort will use the televisions in the Home Theater Department of all Best Buy stores nationwide. A new educational message will simulate what will happen to their analog picture if they aren’t prepared for the transition. It will then urge consumers to act now and detail their three options to get ready.

In addition to the educational video, designated stores in the 25 largest cities across the country will roll out additional awareness efforts. On Tuesday, February 17, Best Buy Home Theater professionals and cashiers will wear “DTV Blackout Prevention” t-shirts to encourage customers to ask questions and get ready for the switch.

Stores will participate in the following markets:

-- Atlanta	-- Houston	-- Pittsburgh
-- Baltimore	-- Los Angeles	-- Portland
-- Boston	-- Miami	-- Sacramento
-- Chicago	-- Minneapolis	-- San Diego
-- Cleveland	-- New York	-- San Francisco
-- Dallas	-- Orlando	-- Seattle
-- Denver	-- Philadelphia	-- St. Louis
-- Detroit	-- Phoenix	-- Tampa
-- Washington D.C.

These stores will also make a special DTV public address announcement every hour throughout the day, and as always, Best Buy employees will be available to answer DTV questions from consumers.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) operates a global portfolio of brands with a commitment to growth and innovation. Our employees strive to provide customers around the world with superior experiences by responding to their unique needs and aspirations. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services through approximately 1,200 retail stores across the United States, throughout Canada and in China. Our multi-channel operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com, BestBuy.ca and BestBuy.com.cn), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca), Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers (PacificSales.com), Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com), Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co. (Five-Star.cn) and Speakeasy (Speakeasy.net). Best Buy supports the communities in which its employees work and live through volunteerism and grants that benefit children and education.