By now you probably already know about the switch to digital TV deadline looming in February. Bruce Kushnick for niemanwatchdog.org provides this insightful piece on the digital switch for Harvard University’s Nieman Watchdog “Questions the Press Should Ask”
On February 17th people who use over-the-air television services with an analog signal will need a converter box to watch TV. On that date, TV stations will start sending only digital signals. Many people may already have purchased converter boxes with a government coupon worth $40.
For some over-the-air viewers in rural areas the switch to DTV in February may result in unforeseen costs and inability to view stations they now watch. It’s a potential story that news organizations of all sizes may want to check out.
There is also the question of possible conspiracy. Is the transition little more than a way of getting people to replace free, over-the-air TV with a cable or satellite subscription? Some cable companies have already started running ads saying that getting cable is a better way to go than making the DTV transition. Talk about a Digital divide.
(Bruce Kushnick has been a telecom analyst for 25 years, and is currently the chairman of Teletruth, an independent customer advocacy group focusing on broadband and telecom issues, as well as executive director of New Networks Institute, a market research firm.)
Bruce is not the only one though, there are literally hundreds of people looking at the same issues…
What the digital-TV switch actually means
CNET News — As the the congressionally mandated deadline nears, confusion is mounting as to who will be affected and what can be done to make sure TV viewing isn’t interrupted. Broadcasters have already begun airing public service announcements to educate the public on the change, but the government is starting to put pressure on broadcasters to increase their awareness campaigns. Follow CNET News
Clueless retailers lead to calls for oversight on DTV switch
Matthew Lasar, ARS Technica — Key politicians and a Federal Communications Commissioner are putting heat on the government to get its act together on the DTV transition, before it’s too late. FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein has warned of a “state of mass confusion” if Federal agencies don’t coordinate their efforts to let the public know that February 17, 2009 is the last day of analog broadcasting. The next day, an estimated 19 million to 22 million analog-only TV sets won’t work in the all-digital broadcasting environment. Follow arstechnica.com
Television as we know it is changing.
While the benefits of DTV are remarkable, millions of households risk losing television reception unless they take the easy steps to receive a digital signal. We’re here to help you make a smooth transition. Follow dtvanswers.com
The Digital TV Transition: What You Need to Know About DTV
FAQs provided by DTV.gov
DTV Converter Boxes Not Flying Off Shelves
WTOV9.com, OH – For some people, making the DTV switch is the perfect excuse to forget about analog, and get a brand new TV set.
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Digital switch could affect radio, too
Deseret News, UT – The much-publicized switch to digital television broadcasting takes effect in February 2009. Better TV pictures and expanded programming should be the result. Will this change affect radio, directly, or indirectly?
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FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell talks about the DTV switch
“Well congress back in early 2006 passed a law called the ‘digital television act’, they’re doing that for a number of reasons. If you think of parts of society, we’re going all digital. Your camera probably doesn’t use film anymore, it is probably digital. We don’t use LP’s or records anymore, we went from there to CD’s, mp3 players and iPods,” said Commissioner McDowell.
