The following press release contains some disturbing information about the transition to all digital terrestrial TV. There are still far too many over-the-air viewers who know nothing of what is coming upon them (shut off of analog on February 17, 2009). We, who already have these digital services, need to think of how we can individually advance the understanding of the transition to those who still have not a clue. It is important work and we thank you in advance for doing what you can for the cause. The nation needs the spectrum back to be then reissued by the FCC to Homeland Security first responders, among other things. There is a coupon subsidy program for ATSC decoder boxes designed to help those who simply cannot afford to make the transition, so no one is being led into a blind corner. The solutions are there for those dependent upon over-the-air services but the education needed to successfully engage those solutions is not._Dale


APTS Survey Finds Majority of Americans Remain Unaware of DTV Transition

APTS Will Ask Congress for Additional Funding for DTV Outreach Initiatives

WASHINGTON-January 31, 2007-The majority of U.S. households that receive their television signals over the air are still unaware of the digital TV transition even though an estimated 22 million over-the-air homes need to make some kind of digital decision by February 17, 2009, according to a Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) survey.

The bulk of the survey participants-61 percent-had no idea that...

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What are the details of the discount coupon program for analog to digital converter boxes? Are there any products on the market today?

Not only are the OTA viewers uninformed, the general public is in the dark. Note how many continue to buy analog TV sets. When all new sets have digital tuners later this year, there will still be a market for analog sets on eBay, unless the public is informed.

At some point soon, analog broadcast stations must begin posting a message that their channel is available now in digital format and state when and where they will move to by 2009. Inquiring minds need to know!

bruce in Annapolis

To put it bluntly, the major TV News Stations are at fault for this mess. It appears that coverage of movie stars love life is MORE IMPORTANT than the coming analog shutoff. TV News sucks! They are interested in feeding us news drama with all their spin, than giving the public any real useful information.

The FCC should require all TV stations to start airing PSAs regarding the upcoming analog shutoff and the converter box program.


Bob

Here is a site that links you to the full details on the coupon program:
http://www.dtv.gov/inthenews.html.

In general, the problem is that not enough money was allocated either to the coupon program or the education program. I think we can expect the Democrats to try to correct this soon, but much time has been lost in the interim.