The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has underlined the fact that the transition to digital TV in 2009 is a serious matter and those who don’t “feel” the same will suffer the consequences. Therefore, the FCC has issued fines worth $6 Million to 11 retail companies for not properly labeling analog-only televisions.

Retailers which received the highest fines were Sears/K-Mart $1.09 million dollar, Wal-Mart which was fined $992,000, Syntax-Brillian Corp. which must pay $1.3 Million and Precor Inc., fined $358,000 for shipping and importing analog televisions after the deadline.

Other names which “made it” to the list of the 11 retailers which get to share the $11 million in fines were Circuit City ($712,000), Fry’s Electronics, Target, Best Buy and CompUSA.

With the date (February 18th, 2009) when broadcasters must switch to digital television nearing, the FCC used the fines to make a clear statement of how seriously it takes the matter and also that it wouldn’t think twice before hitting violators in the pocket-book for violations.

The FCC wants to make sure no retailer will mislead some of its customers into buying televisions that aren’t capable of receiving digital broadcast signals.

Hoever, the FCC won’t be able to make it on its own, so for those of you who want to buy a new TV, make sure that it is able to receive over-air broadcast television.

"The Commission's DTV-related enforcement efforts have focused on protecting consumers from unknowingly buying televisions that will not allow consumers to enjoy the full benefits of the digital transition," the FCC said in a statement. "The orders demonstrate the Commission's commitment to strong enforcement in promoting the successful transition to digital television."

In its latest raid, the FCC reportedly checked 2,272 retail stores and 36 web sites and issued 349 citations.

The Consumer Electronics Association said that over 50% of U.S. households have already made the change to digital, so it is highly probably the retailers will appeal the fines citing previous consumer outreach efforts.