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Time running out to prepare for digital television transition
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| By: Rachel Westberg |
February 11, 2009 |
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Local stations moving ahead, despite new national delay.
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There has been a lot of legislation going through the hands of state and national law-makers regarding the switch to digital television. Although the national DTV switch will likely be delayed from its original Feb. 17 deadline to June 12, local Eau Claire television stations will begin broadcasting in digital Tuesday. Even for those who are not ready, there is still time to prepare for the change.
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For more than 50 years, television broadcasters have sent their shows to TVs by analog signal. That will change after June 12, when most analog signals will be gone and broadcast stations must broadcast only in digital.
With digital signals, stations can offer improved picture and sound quality and new programing choices, according to DTV.gov. The signal is more efficient, which allows stations to broadcast several programs at the same time. The switch also frees up portions of the broadcast spectrum to use for public safety communications.
Many are aware that the switch is taking place, but the Nielsen Company estimates that there are more than 6.5 million households not ready for the transition. Federal government estimates show that nearly 80 million households depend on over-the-air broadcasts,
What it means
Not everyone will be affected by the DTV transition. Those who receive local stations through satellite or cable companies are already prepared for the transition. However, viewers receiving free over-the-air programming with a roof-top antenna or "rabbit ears" will need a digital-to-analog converter box to watch broadcasts. Individuals who have a digital television, a box with a built-in digital tuner, are also ready for the switch.
To help consumers with the digital transition, the federal government does provide converter box coupons. Every United States household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to aid in the purchase of the converter boxes. Coupons can be requested in one of four ways:
* By calling the 24-hour hotline at (888) DTV-2009.
* Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov;
* Mail a coupon application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000;
* Fax an application to (877) DTV-4ME2.
Local implications
Local stations serving the La Crosse and Eau Claire television markets announced last Wednesday that they will convert to digital-only broadcasting Tuesday. The United States House of Representatives approved a bill that moves the conversion date from Tuesday to June 12. The Senate also passed the bill and President Barack Obama is expected to sign it within the next week. The new legislation still allows stations to convert earlier if they choose, which is what area broadcasters have elected to do. A joint statement from station representatives from WXOW/WQOW, WEAU and WKBT revealed their research indicates less than one percent of households in the market are not prepared for the conversion.
"The stations in this market have done an outstanding job of educating the public to this conversion and that it would occur on Feb. 17," said David Booth, general manager of WXOW/WQOW Television Inc. "We greatly appreciate members of Congress for providing stations the flexibility to convert in February as we believe our viewers are ready."
It is anticipated that the stations will transition to digital-only broadcasting between 12-1 p.m. Tuesday. Each station will inform their viewers of the exact time of the switch through station announcements and newscasts.
Cable and satellite companies have also been very helpful to broadcasters in preparing for the transition. Jesse Hlad, public relations and communications manager for Charter Communication in Wisconsin, says that their main focus has been to educate the public and to ensure the transition goes smoothly.
"The education and promotions have been there," she says. "I feel comfortable that people are well-educated about the switch. People have done a tremendous job all around."
For more information on the DTV transition, individuals can call the Federal Communications Commission at (888) CALL-FCC or e-mail DTVinfo@fcc.gov. Individuals may also visit www.dtv.gov.
Locally, individuals may address questions by contacting Eau Claire and La Crosse television stations:
* WQOW/WXOW-(507) 895-9969, wxow.com, wqow.com;
* WEAU-(715) 835-1313, weau.com;
* WKBT-(608) 782-4678, wkbt.com.
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©The Chetek Alert 2010
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