Digital TV Updates

9/20/09.  Many viewers are finding that they still can't easily tune in certain local TV stations over the air, after U.S. full power TV stations finished their switch to all-digital broadcasting on June 12.  The biggest problems seem to be for stations that moved their digital TV signals from a temporary "UHF" or ultra-high-frequency channel (channels 14 to 69) to a permanent "VHF" or very-high-frequency channel (channels 2 to 13).  Several TV stations have moved their digital signals back to the UHF band, which requires viewers to "re-scan" their digital TVs or converter boxes to "find" the new channels. 

It appears that digital VHF signals do not penetrate through buildings and into homes as well as UHF signals.  Plus, VHF signals need antennas with longer arms (for both indoor and outdoor antennas), and many viewers who bought new TV antennas actually have antennas designed only for UHF reception, which are smaller.  VHF digital signals did not get much testing before the digital TV conversion.  More from the Associated Press here. 

The FCC wants to remind viewers who are having trouble tuning in digital TV channels to relocate or check the position of their antennas and to try "double-rescanning" their digital TV sets or converter boxes.  A copy of the FCC consumer alert is here, and the full FCC website with digital TV help is at www.dtv.gov

The U.S. Treasury may get at least $139 million back after the last digital TV converter coupons have been redeemed.  The final issue date for coupons was July 31, and the last coupons to be issued will expire at the end of October if they are not used to purchase a converter box. 

If the average redemption rate of about 55% holds steady, that would mean that over $200 million available to the program would not be needed and would be returned to the U.S. Treasury.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here.

7/20/09.  The July 31 deadline for requesting free converter box coupons is fast approaching.  Each coupon is worth $40 toward the purchase of an eligible digital converter.  Over $313 million dollars are still available to support coupon requests; presently about 60,000 coupons are being requested every day, so there should be plenty available right up to the cutoff date.  To date, 62 million coupons have been mailed out, and 33 million have been redeemed for converter boxes.  To request coupons, go to www.dtv2009.gov.      

July 12 was the very final "final" day of analog broadcasting by U.S. full power TV stations.  After the June 12 digital TV transition date, 121 TV stations in 87 cities were allowed to keep their old analog TV signals on the air for 30 more days, broadcasting just information on the digital TV switch.  There was little fanfare as the stations quietly turned of their long-serving analog signals, some over 60 years old, and continued broadcasting only their digital signals, thus ending the full power TV to digital transition project. 

Low power TV stations and TV translators continue to broadcast in analog, and will convert to digital broadcasting individually.  

7/6/09.  Following the switch to all-digital broadcasting in the U.S. by full power TV stations on June 12, the FCC and TV station engineers are trying to fill in some gaps in digital reception that have become apparent for many viewers. One key issue is that many stations that were broadcasting their digital TV signals on the "UHF" band moved their signals to the "VHF" band on June 12.  VHF signals travel longer distances well, but they don't penetrate urban high rise buildings or homes with aluminum siding as well as UHF signals.  Also, many viewers don't have, or got rid of, their VHF antennas. 

Meanwhile, Nielsen reports that there are still over 2 million U.S. households that are not equipped to receive digital TV signals over the air.  More on the reception issues from TV Technology here.

A Buffalo newspaper describes the "re-scan" process that viewers with digital TVs or converter boxes with antennas many need to try to "clear out" the wrong stations in memory and find the correct stations.  See the article here.

And the FCC says it will continue to provide phone help at its DTV hotline, 1-888-CALLFCC (888-225-5322), and its website www.dtv.gov. 

6/14/09.  After many months of notices and preparations, the remaining 1000 U.S. full power TV stations turned off their traditional analog signals on June 12, continuing to broadcast only their digital signals without major disruptions.  TV stations and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) operated help lines, and community organizations stood by to help viewers get converter boxes and antennas to work. The FCC's 888-CALL-FCC digital TV help line took over 317,000 calls on Friday.

Most calls were about TV stations that viewers couldn't tune with their digital TVs and digital converters.  Many TV stations changed their digital broadcast channels on Friday, and so viewer TVs and converters needed to be "re-scanned" or "auto-tuned" to find the new station channels. These functions are usually found on the "on screen" menu.  More from the New York Times here. 

6/13/09.  Across the country, 121 TV stations are continuing to broadcast a signal on their old analog TV channels as a "nightlight" service.  The programming on the channel only shows information about the digital transition and how to watch digital TV.  Most nightlight stations will continue those signals until July 12.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here.

The NTIA (the agency distributing the converter coupons) reminded viewers that the free coupons, which can be used to purchase digital TV converter boxes and provide a $40 credit, are still available and can be requested until July 31 as long as funds are available.  For more information, click the "Converter Box Coupon Program" link on this website. 

6/8/09.  With less than four days remaining until the long-awaited June 12 digital TV transition deadline, government and industry participants predict a fairly smooth shift as the last full-power analog TV signals are turned off, though some bumps are expected.  There will be the inevitable procrastinators who aren't ready; viewers who still haven't gotten the message, and many homes that can't get quality reception of digital TV signals. 

Just over 1000 TV stations will turn off their analog signals sometime on June 12, joining 756 stations that have already made the switch.  About 100 stations will keep broadcasting an analog signal for up to 30 days, but those channels will only show information about the digital TV transition, and not regular programming.

"Over-the-air" TV viewers who use an antenna are reminded to "rescan" or "retune" their digital TVs or their digital converter boxes on June 12 and 13.  This lets the TVs find any digital channels that change their electronic position after June 12.  Information on doing this is in TV owners' manuals.  The FCC is reminding viewers that they can find help at the Digital TV website, www.dtv.gov, and by calling 1-800-CALL-FCC.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here.

6/8/09.  The National Association of Broadcasters reminded U.S. TV viewers that free digital converter box coupons, which reduce the cost of a converter box by $40, can be donated by those that have them to others that may need them.  Also, the coupons can be ordered through July 31, depending on availability of funds.  More for Television Business Report here.

5/29/09.   With less than two weeks until the digital TV transition deadline of June 12, the FCC is encouraging over-the-air TV viewers who have not made arrangements to watch the new digital TV signals to visit the upgraded DTV website, www.dtv.gov, and take action. By June 13, the remaining 1000 full power U.S. TV stations will turn off their analog channels forever and continue broadcasting  digital channels only.

In particular, the FCC wants viewers to know that there is free help for setting up digital converter boxes.  The FCC has contracted with over 46 firms to provide in-home help in setting up a digital converter box for TV viewing, with no charge to home viewers. One contractor is Best Buy and its "Geek Squad" electronics help team.  Viewers can find a list of the firms offering free help at the FCC digital TV website, www.dtv.gov.      

5/14/09.  With the June 12 transition to all-digital broadcasting by full power U.S. TV stations now less than 30 days away, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is ramping up many different communications tactics in the next few weeks to reach up to 3.5 million households that might still be unprepared. 

Plans include a national "soft shutoff test" on Thursday, May 21, where many TV stations will "simulate" turning off their analog signals, usually during a newscast, to let viewers see if they are ready.  In addition, the FCC's digital TV call center (at 888-CALL-FCC) will be staffed with up to 4000 agents to answer consumer questions.  More from the Washington Post here.  

4/13/09.  April 13 will mark "T minus 60 days and counting" until June 12, when all remaining U.S. full power TV stations turn off their traditional analog TV signals and continue broadcasting only in digital.  Meanwhile, on April 16 there will be another "mini-transition" when 150 TV stations convert to all-digital broadcasting, joining the one third of TV stations that have already completed the switch to digital.  More from Television Business Report here.

The Federal Communication Commission, which oversees the U.S. digital TV transition, is asking for bids from organizations which can help install TV viewers' digital TV converter boxes before the final digital TV transition date, June 12.  The FCC is also reaching out to volunteer groups for help, including AmeriCorps and volunteer firefighters.  More from USA Today here. 

3/24/09.  The free converter coupons are moving again!  That's the word from the NTIA, the agency handling converter coupons.  The U.S. Stimulus Bill authorized $650 million more for the coupon program, and those funds are now available. The NTIA has announced these updates to the coupon program (see more details here): 

• U.S. TV viewers who received coupons that have expired can submit requests to replace those coupons.  Viewers MUST request replacement coupons; they will not be sent automatically. There is no change in the allocation of two coupons per household, and only expired coupons can be replaced. Coupons used to purchase a converter box will not be replaced.  As before, both first time coupon requests and replacement coupon requests can be submitted online, by phone, by mail, and by fax. Click here for the coupon request website.

• The coupon waiting list is gone.  All coupon requests that have been placed on a waiting list since January 4, 2009, have now had coupons mailed.
  

• Coupons are now being mailed via first class mail, so they will arrive more quickly after being requested.

• The new deadline for coupon applications is July 31, 2009. Requests for new and replacement coupons will be accepted through that date as long as coupon funds are still available.

The NTIA as also sent this alert to consumers: There are reports that some consumers were asked to pay for the free coupon applications, or provide unnecessary personal information to complete the coupon requests.  In fact:

• Coupon applications are free to U.S. consumers.

• The only information needed to request coupons is a name, address, signature, number of coupons (1 or 2) being requested, and whether the household is connected to a subscription TV service.  NO other information is required.

• The coupons are free and will be mailed directly to the applicant's home address or PO box.

3/9/09.  The NTIA, the federal agency that oversees the converter coupon program, said that all the coupon requests which were on the waiting list, about 3.4 million, are being processed at the rate of about 400,000 coupons a day being mailed.  At that rate, the agency expects to have the waiting list eliminated in less than three weeks.

The agency has been authorized to start using the $650 million that was allocated for more $40 converter coupons in the Stimulus Bill signed into law on February 17, after the agency ran out of coupon funds on January 4.  Meanwhile, the NTIA is not ready to start taking new coupon orders from U.S. residents who have coupons that expired after 90 days.  The agency is setting up a new process to accept "re-applications" from residents who have expired coupons and will announce when new system is ready.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here,  

3/3/09.  While it's generally better than analog TV, digital TV reception can be tricky.  With antenna-based digital TV reception, some viewers are getting more digital stations than analog stations.  But others using antennas are finding that they get fewer stations.

Problems include the "all or nothing" characteristics of digital TV reception; the fact that most TV stations have their digital signals in the TV "UHF" band, where signals don't travel as well over hills, and some TV stations are not yet using their full digital transmitter power.  More from TVNewsday here.

2/18/09.  On February 17, 421 U.S. TV stations turned off their traditional analog TV channels, joining 220 stations that had already turned their channels off before the date.  641 TV stations are now broadcasting a digital signal only.  The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) reported that its digital help line, 1-888-CALL-FCC, had received over 100,000 calls between Feb. 13 and Feb, 18, but the call volume was manageable, both at the FCC and at local TV stations that made the switch.  The remainder of full power TV stations must transition to all digital broadcasting by the new transition deadline of June 12.  More from USA TODAY here.

2/19/09.  There is more money for digital converter box coupons in the Stimulus Bill signed Feb. 19 by the President, but it will take about a week for the $650 million designated for coupons to reach the NTIA, the converter coupon agency.  There are over 4 million coupon requests on the waiting list that was started when the initial funds ran out on January 4, and it will take about $160 million to meet all those requests.  The bill also allows households whose coupons have expired to reapply for coupons at the NTIA website, www.dtv2009.gov.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here.

The FCC is reminding ALL U.S. viewers who are watching digital TV over the air, using a digital TV or a digital converter box, that they should use the "re-scan" function on the TV or converter box to find the new digital channels in their area.  Many TV stations changed their digital TV signals on February 17, and viewers need to make their digital TVs find the signals with the "rescan" or "channel search."

2/17/09.  The DTV transition is here - sort of.  On February 17, 421 TV stations will turn off their traditional analog programming and continue broadcasting only a digital channel.  They will join 220 TV stations that have already ended their analog channel programming.  So, as of Tuesday at midnight, 641 stations, or about 36% of all full power TV stations across the U.S., will complete their "digital TV transition."  Some of those stations will keep their traditional analog channels on the air, but they will broadcast information on the transition only, with no standard programming.

Meanwhile, the final date for the digital TV transition has been moved from February 17 to June 12, after the "Digital TV Delay Act" was passed by Congress and signed by the President on February 11.  Most U.S. TV stations will continue their broadcasts until then, including the stations that are "owned and operated" by CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and Telemudo.  Some stations will end their analog broadcasts before June 12, but they must notify their viewers at least 30 days in advance.  More on the February 17 activity from the AP here.

Stations in larger cities are least likely to end analog broadcasting soon, but viewers in small to mid-size communities need to monitor their local TV stations for announcements of early shutoff dates. In some cases, most of the stations in a community with turn off analog together.  Markets where this will happen include La Cross-Eau Claire, WI; Providence, RI;  Sioux City, IA;  and Waco, TX.  

To support the many viewers who may need help with converter boxes or digital TV reception after stations turn off analog channels, the FCC is promoting the help number 1-888-CALL-FCC   (1-888-225-5322).  

The FCC has published a list of all "full power" TV stations and their planned analog channel shutoff dates.  Stations are listed by the cities that they serve.  Stations shown in red have turned off their analog channel or will do it by Feb. 17.  Stations marked "nightlight" or "nightlight plus" will keep their analog channel on the air after Feb. 17, but only to show DTV transition information, and in some areas, local news.  Download the list here.

2/5/09.   After heated debate, the U. S. House of Representatives voted on Feb. 4 to change the digital TV transition date from February 17 to June 12, after the Senate passed the same measure.  When signed into law by President Obama, as expected, the bill will set June 12 as the new deadline by which full power U.S. TV stations must turn off their traditional analog channels and continue over-the-air broadcasting exclusively on their digital channels. 

The new law allows TV stations to get permission from the FCC, the TV licensing agency, to turn off their analog channels before June 12, and the FCC says that, of the 1796 TV stations that must complete the switch to digital, 379 stations are already digital-only or will be by Feb. 17.  Plus, up to another 700 stations could "safely" go all-digital before June 12.  (TV viewers will have to watch for messages from their local stations to see when those stations will turn off their analog channels.  In some TV viewing areas, all the local stations may turn off analog channels on the same day; in other areas, TV stations might do analog channel shutoffs on different dates.)

The DTV transition bill also has a provision to allow consumers who applied for digital TV converter box coupons that expired before they were used to reapply for coupons.  Details on this process have not been provided, and will probably not be available until several weeks after the bill becomes law.  More from Broadcasting and Cable magazine here.  

2/2/09.  The date that analog TV broadcasting in the U.S. by full power TV stations would end was established three years ago as February 17, 2009.  But the new administration and its Congressional allies want to move the date to June 12.  The House of Representatives tried to use a shortcut to pass a bill changing the date, but it needed, and didn't get, two-thirds of the votes. 

The Senate made some changes to the bill and passed it unanimously, and it's gone back to the House for reconsideration this week.  This time, a simple majority vote will be all that's needed for approval.  The White House has said President Obama would sign it.

What would it mean?  TV stations would have the option keeping their analog TV signals on the air until June 12, but could ask the FCC, their licensing authority, to let them turn off the analog signals sooner.  Over 80 TV stations, including those in Wilmington, NC, and Hawaii, have already switched to digital-only broadcasting.  Meanwhile, the digital converter coupon program has over 3 million requests on its waiting list, but the proposed law does not add any funds for coupons; instead, there is money pledged for converter coupons in the stimulus bill, now being considered by the Senate.  See an update from the New York Times here.

1/20/09.  Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) believes Congress will delay the digital TV transition date, originally set for February 17, 2009. Last week, Waxman, the new head of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, proposed a bill that would move the date back to June 12, extending the shutoff of traditional analog TV channels by nearly 4 months.  A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), but a vote on it was blocked on January 16 by Senate Republicans.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here.

1/16/09.  Hawaii became the first state to complete the transition to all-digital TV when the state's full-power TV stations turned off their traditional analog TV programming at noon on January 15.  An FCC call center was answering questions about digital TV reception and converter boxes, but officials didn't know yet how many homes might still be having trouble receiving digital TV.  The TV stations replaced the programming on their analog channels with temporary messages about the transition which may stay on for days or weeks.  More from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin here. 

1/12/09.  THE DIGITAL TV TRANSITION DATE HAS NOT MOVED, AND IS NOT SCHEDULED TO.  But a move is being debated.  The head of the Federal Communications Commission, Kevin Martin, as well as the head of the Consumer Electronics Association, Gary Shapiro, are among those who don't agree with the recommendation of President-elect Barack Obama's transition team to change the date of the analog TV channel cutoff from February 17 and move it about 3 months into the future. 

Last week, transition team leader John Podesta wrote Congress to request that the transition date be delayed since the government has issued all the $40 coupons for converter box purchases that it has funding for, and is now putting coupon requests on a waiting list.

Martin was interviewed at the large Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where he said moving the date would cause more problems that it would solve.  He pointed out that the government and broadcasters had dedicated a lot of time, energy, and expense to accommodate the Feb. 17 transition to all-digital TV by full power TV stations and teach viewers about the date, and suggested that Congress find more funding for the coupon program.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here. 

1/5/09.  The NTIA, the "Coupon Agency" responsible for issuing the free digital converter box coupons to U.S. households, announced today that, because of high demand for the $40 coupons, the number of coupons that have been requested and are still active, plus those that have been redeemed, represent the total amount of congressional funding for the coupons, which is $1.34 billion.  Thus, new coupons can only be issued when coupons that have already been sent out are not used within 90 days and expire.  That's when the funding that was being held for those expired coupons can be applied to new coupons.  

So, as of this week, U.S. residents who request the $40 coupons are being put on a coupon waiting list.  They will be sent coupons on a "first come, first served" basis when previously issued coupons expire.  Thus, viewers requesting coupons cannot count on receiving coupons and being able to use them to purchase a converter box prior to February 17, when full power analog TV channels turn off and  continue only digital channels.   

As of January 4th, more than 24 million households have requested more than 46 million coupons, and of those, more than 18 million coupons have been used to purchase converter boxes, while 13 million coupons have expired.  Presently, of all the coupons that have been mailed, 31% have expired before being used.

TV viewers who rely on free, over-the-air TV still have the same choices to prepare for the end of analog TV on February 17: purchase a converter box, purchase a digital TV, or subscribe to a cable TV or satellite service.

For more details on the converter coupon situation see an AP story here and a Wall Street Journal story here.  Also, the NTIA has issued a new consumer flyer on the digital TV transition which can be downloaded here.

1/5/09.  On December 23, the president signed the "DTV Nightlight" bill, which passed both the Senate and House by unanimous consent.  The bill, actually called the "SAFER" act (for Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness), allows TV stations that meet certain criteria to keep broadcasting their traditional analog channels for 30 days past the 2/17 planned cutoff of analog broadcasting.  

According to FCC rules, the eligible stations can volunteer to show public service messages explaining the digital TV transition, as well as emergency messages, with no commercials. They must show messages in both English and Spanish.  The National Association of Broadcasters, a TV station trade group, is preparing a video that can run on the stations to explain the DTV transition.  

The "nightlight" concept was developed by broadcasters and the FCC after the TV stations in a test city, Wilmington, NC, ended their normal analog TV broadcasts on September 8, after moving their programming to their digital channels.  However, they did not turn off their analog channels, but instead used the channels to show information about the digital transition and what viewers needed to do about it.  More about the "nightlight" bill from Broadcasting & Cable here. 

The FCC has published a list of list of TV stations which qualify for the "nightlight" option (see the list here).  However, the stations are in just 136 of the nation's 210 television markets.  The FCC has invited more stations to apply for the option, and the NAB has said more stations will ask for permission to participate.  

12/10/08.  The NTIA, the "Coupon Agency" responsible for issuing the free digital converter box coupons to U.S. households, reminded all its partner groups across the country that are helping Americans to apply for coupons that they must remind consumers to act this year.  In a conference call today, the NTIA program manager pointed out that getting coupons is a "3 steps - 6 weeks" process.  

The three steps are "Apply for the coupons - Buy a converter box - Try the converter box with an antenna and older TV."  From the date coupons are requested, it can take up to 4 weeks to receive them in the mail.  Then the coupon owners need more time to find and purchase a converter box and set up the converter with their TV and antenna.  The shutoff of traditional analog TV channels will happen on February 17, 2009, a little over 6 weeks into 2009, so viewers planning to get converters should take action now, in 2008.

The agency also reported that 20.5 million US households have applied for over 38.5 million coupons, with an average of 180,000 requests received daily, and over 36 million coupons have been mailed out.  Overall, 15.8 million coupons have been redeemed to purchase converters; 8.7 million coupons are "active" and ready to use, and 11.8 million coupons expired because they were not used within 90 days of being issued.  

The NTIA representative also pointed out that consumers who have extra, active coupons can donate them to others who can't get coupons on their own or may have coupons that have expired.  Many church and community groups are coordinating programs to re-distribute active coupons and provide volunteers to help purchase and install converter boxes for those who need assistance. 

To order coupons, go to www.dtv2009.gov.  More information on the coupon program is in the Coupon Program Section on this site.

11/12/08.  Nearly 40 million U.S. households now own at least one HDTV set, and 25 million bought theirs in the last 12 months. Over 10 million of those homes spent over $1000 on their HDTV sets.  The results, released by Leichtman Research, are based on a survey of 1302 households throughout the U.S. 

The top reason for buying a new TV set, cited by 38% of the HDTV owners, was to replace an old or broken set or get new TV set.  22% percent said that picture quality was the most important reason for the HDTV purchase.  More from MultiChannel News here. 

10/31/08. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld an FCC decision to require cable TV companies to deliver "viewable" or analog local TV signals for three years after the analog TV cutoff date.  In a victory for the FCC and broadcasters, the court affirmed the FCC ruling that says cable companies must continue to provide local TV signals in analog if the cable systems are not fully digital, even if they provide a digital signal for the same channels. More from Broadcasting and Cable here.

10/20/08.  As of today, residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and assisted living facilities can apply for one free converter box coupon, or have someone apply for a coupon on their behalf.  Previously, a maximum of only two coupons could be issued to a U.S. street address.  This rule change by the NTIA now allows each of the many residents of a single facility to order their own converter coupon. Download the nursing home converter box coupon application here. 

Also, converter coupon applicants who use a PO box for mail delivery can now apply for up to two coupons through the normal application process.  More information here.

10/13  Hawaii will complete its transition to digital broadcasting by turning off analog TV channels on January 15, 2009, a month ahead of the U.S. analog shutoff date of February 17.  Why move up the date? By February, the endangered Hawaiian dark-rumped petrels will begin their nesting season on the island of Maui, near the location of the TV transmitter towers.  So Hawaiian full power stations will turn of their analog signals early and dismantle their transmitting towers on Maui prior to the nesting season.  More from the Star Bulletin here.

10/1.  Bills have been introduced in both the U.S Senate and the House that would direct the FCC to create rules to let TV stations keep their traditional analog channels on the air for 30 days after February 17, 2009, when, by law, analog TV broadcasting for full power stations must end.  Stations would not carry their standard programming on the channels, but would instead broadcast information about the transition to digital TV and how to view digital channels.  More from Broadcasting & Cable here.

9/16/08.  The NTIA, the government agency that manages the converter box coupon program, announced a new ruling which will allow residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities and assisted living facilities to apply for one converter coupon each.  A family member or representative from the facility will be able to apply on behalf of a resident through a special application form. 

Also, a new rule will allow U.S. residents who use a post office box for mail delivery to apply for two coupons through the normal application process. They will be required to provide their physical addresses, which will be checked against a database for confirmation.  Both rules will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, which happened this week (9/16). More here.

9/18/08.  A run on digital converter boxes?  That's a possibility as the date of the shutoff of analog TV signals on February 17, 2009, approaches. The consumer electronics industry estimates that U.S. households may need up to 28 million converters for over-the-air TVs.  But there are dozens of competing manufacturers, and each has to guess what its sales might be.  More here.

9/11/08.  The biggest challenge for over-the-air TV viewers in Wilmington, NC,  the city that transitioned to "all-digital" broadcasting on September 8?  Old fashioned antennas.  According to a survey by Elon University students, nearly everyone was aware of the end of analog TV signals.  But many had not tried to use or adjust their antennas to receive the remaining digital signals.  In many cases, viewers needed a better antenna.  More here.

9/10/08.  Availability of small, battery-operated portable TVs that receive digital signals has lagged behind availability of the larger LCD and plasma digital TV models.  But more are appearing, and Epoq Multimedia has announced such a model. It features a 7 inch screen, a rechargeable battery, and a remote control, and lists for $279.  Another new model is positioned as a combined digital photo frame and portable TV; it plays digital image and sound files without a computer and lists for $249.  More here.

9/4/08.  TV as a peacemaker?  It is in prisons.  Across the country, prisons provide TVs in break rooms, and even in some cells.  But because many of these TVs use "over-the-air" signals, they may go blank on February 17, 2009, unless they have converter boxes. The government provides $40 converter box coupons to households, but prisons don't qualify under the law, and corrections departments are trying to figure out how to pay for converters. More here.

9/8/08.  In a ceremony at the Wilmington, North Carolina, city hall, FCC chairman Kevin J. Martin and Wilmington mayor Bill Saffo flicked a giant 7-foot switch at noon, symbolizing the end of analog television signals for the five local commercial stations.  The stations continued to broadcast only digital signals, completing a transition that will happen for the rest of the country on February 17, 2009.

At the FCC's invitation, Wilmington, which has about 180,000 TV homes, agreed to be the national "guinea pig" for the digital TV conversion.  It was supported by a massive public and private agency communications outreach as local residents were told about the early end of analog TV and reminded to make sure they were ready for all-digital TV.  More here.

9/3/08.  At noon on September 8, Wilmington, North Carolina, will be the first U.S. city to experience all-digital TV broadcasting as the five commercial TV stations turn off their traditional analog signals forever and continue broadcasting digital signals only.  This will be the first community-wide demonstration of digital-only broadcasting by full power TV stations, and comes five months prior to the end of analog broadcasting for the rest of the U.S., scheduled to take place on February 17, 2009. 

The early conversion has earned a lot of attention for Wilmington; the Federal Communications Commission, local media, TV stations, cable and satellite providers, and retailers have all joined to provide information to the community on the transition to digital TV, including the early conversion date.  The FCC wants to assess whether the types and amounts of communications have been effective in preparing the TV viewers who will be affected.  More here.

8/20/08.  Best Buy, the nation's largest electronics retailer, is making DTV information available on the social networking site "Facebook."  The application was developed with a "teach the teacher" concept of reaching additional audiences, and it has a "forward to a friend" feature for users to share DTV transition information.  The company also announced the launch of a dedicated microsite, www.askablueshirt.com, which gives consumers access to Best Buy's home theater professionals. More info here.

8/18/08.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the government agency responsible for implementing the U.S. conversion to digital TV, announced a nationwide initiative to promote awareness of the digital TV transition.  FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that the five FCC commissioners and other staff will host public events in TV markets in which more than 100,000 households or at least 15% of the households depend solely on over-the-air signals to receive TV. 

The Commission named 81 cities that will be on their travel list prior to the shutoff of full power analog TV next February.  Plus they've already scheduled visits in 23 of those cities, starting with Anchorage on September 27.  For the full press release, click here.

8/13/08.  A revival for old-time TV series like The Lone Ranger, McHale's Navy, and The Addams Family?  USA TODAY notes that the U.S. digital broadcasting system allows TV stations to broadcast several programs on the same digital channel.  This ability to "multicast" is already being used by some stations to offer channels specializing in news, weather, movies - and old TV shows. 

Expect more experimentation with digital multicast channels after digital TV becomes the primary broadcasting method next February, and viewers discover that digital TVs can receive the new multicast channels free with an antenna.  Read the article here.

8/4/08.   The U.S. Senate has passed a bill which would allow U.S. TV stations within 50 miles of the Mexican border to get FCC permission to continue broadcasting their traditional analog signals for up to five years after the stations in the rest of the U.S. turn their analog signals off next year.  A similar bill has been sponsored in the House. 

The "Digital Television Border Fix Act"  was introduced last year by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.  Her office said that, due the expense of the transition and the continuing availability of analog TV from Mexico, many households may choose not to participate in the transition.  If they couldn't tune in U.S. digital TV stations, they could lose access to weather warnings and other safety messages from U.S. broadcasters.  Border TV stations are divided in their support for the legislation. 

7/17/08.  More TV stations around the country are scheduling demonstrations of what happens when their traditional analog transmitter goes off the air, so viewers can see how they will be affected when analog transmitters of full power local TV stations are turned off for good on February 17, 2009.  

Typically, during a news show, a TV station simulates turning off its analog transmitter.  Any viewers watching the station with an antenna can see the channel disappear; afterwards, they are reminded that they need to take action to keep watching the station in digital.  Viewers watching the station via cable TV or satellite TV, which will usually not be affected by the transmitter shutoff, get a message that they are ready for digital TV.  

TV stations in Las Vegas, Orlando, Dallas and Portland have done simulated channel shutoffs.  Several stations in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, plan to do it every month.  The demonstration is simple and effective, and endorsed by government agencies.  You may see one in your viewing area soon!  

7/14/08.  The Federal Trade Commission, the government agency that works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices, has issued a Consumer Alert that has tips for handling the digital TV transition.  For over-the-air TV viewers planning to use a government-issued coupon to purchase a digital converter box, the FTC offers these tips:  Never pay for a converter coupon; they are free from the government.  Don't provide your social security number or other sensitive financial information when you order or redeem a coupon.

For TV viewers considering signing up with cable TV or satellite TV service: contact your local cable and satellite providers to see what services are available in your area.  If you're planning to buy a new TV, make sure it has a digital tuner.  You can see the entire FTC Consumer Alert here.

7/7/08.  At 7:59 PM on July 2, twelve Orlando, Florida, TV stations, working together, turned off their traditional analog TV signals for 10 seconds.  They wanted to help viewers figure out if they need to take action prior to the required shutoff of analog TV channels next February, leaving just digital channels on the air.  Viewers with digital TVs or with cable or satellite TV saw no interruption, and got a message saying they are ready for all-digital TV.

On the other hand, viewers who receive the stations with an antenna on older TVs saw the 10 second blackout, followed by a phone number to use for help on getting ready for digital TV.  Out of 365,000 households with TVs in the Orlando area, only 123 viewers called who have older TVs and use an antenna.  The TV stations were pleased with the results, which showed that most viewers can already receive the stations' new digital signals through cable, satellite, or a digital TV.  More here. 

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to beware of an offer being promoted in newspaper ads - a pair of "free" digital TV converter boxes. The BBB says the promotion from a company called Universal TechTronics is really a bait and switch tactic that steers consumers toward the purchase of "five year warranties" for the "free" converters - at a price of $59, with shipping and handling added on.

The BBB points out that the ad preys on consumers' "lack of knowledge" about digital TV viewing.  In fact, digital TV converter boxes can be purchased in thousands of locations and online for prices starting at $49, and US households can request a $40 government coupon to apply to the purchase of a converter. More here. 

5/8/07.  The acting head of the NTIA (the U.S. agency responsible for the TV converter box coupon program) said that the agency does have the authority to change the current rule whereby converter coupons expire 90 days after they are issued.  Acting NTIA Assistant Administrator Meredith Atwell Baker said that Congressional authority would not be required, but that the a rule change would need a notice and comment period.
Baker was responding to a letter from 11 senators, including the ranking heads of the Senate Commerce Committee, who said they were concerned that issued coupons would expire before some converter boxes were available to coupon holders.  They also suggested that consumers should be able to use coupons to "pre-order" the converter boxes.  Details here.