At Noon Monday, September 8, 2008, Wilmington, N.C. (DMA 135) - FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Wilmington, N.C., Mayor Bill Saffo threw the switch at noon to turn off analog TV and usher in digital broadcasting as a prelude to next February's national conversion. Martin: 15% of Stations Face Smaller DTV-Coverage      Areas (PDF) Martin: Wilmington Move Going Smoothly (PDF) Glitches Come to Light in Wilmington (PDF) Wilmington Crosses the Digital Divide (PDF)

Why are Broadcasters Switching?

Digital TV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. It can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with “analog” technology. Converting to DTV will also free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast airwaves to be used for other important services such as public safety (e.g. police, fire and rescue squads) and advanced wireless services. DTV allows broadcast stations to air multiple channels of programming simultaneously (called multicasting), offering viewers a broader depth of programming choices and information. Television viewing will be transformed with images and sound capable of a movie-quality experience.

The advantages of the digital transition are clear. But there are many questions surrounding the impact to viewers and local broadcast stations. How will households with analog television sets get digital programming? What can homes with antenna reception do to retain the ability to view their local broadcasts? How can stations help educate viewers in their local markets?

TVB answers these questions and more.

What is the Impact?
 How Ready is your DMA for the Transition?
      Nielsen track on Digital Readiness status of the U.S. and Local metered markets
 Nielsen: Overview of the February 2009 Digital Television Transition (PDF)
 Impact to Local Broadcast Stations: The Digital Transition (PPT) 
      Includes NAB PSA Education Initiative as well as FCC multicarriage and white space spectrum issues.
 Impact to the Viewer: The Digital Transition (PPT)
      Includes overview of DTV and HDTV, who will be affected, what consumers can do to prepare.
 Impact to the Advertisers: The Digital Transition (PDF)
      Broadcasters and advertisers have joined forces to prepare for the DTV transition forming a coalition
        and unveiling a new initiative: "The DTV Transition: Keeping the Ad Community in the Loop"
 Assigning Digital Call Letters

Local Station Digital Transition Initiatives
 Ion Plans Analog Cut-Off Tests (B&C PDF posted 7/08)
 KTXA to Conduct Analog Switch-Off (TVNewsday PDF posted 7/08)
 TV Station Simulates Analog Plug-Pull (B&C PDF posted 5/08)
 PBS Announces DTV transition Consumer Awareness Campaign (B&C PDF posted 2/08)
 South Dakota Stations Mount DTB Campaign (TVNewsday PDF posted 2/08)
 Flash! DTV Transition is on the Way, Says Michigan Association of Broadcasters
     (Broadcasting & Cable PDF posted 2/08)
 Harris: Stations See Greater Ad Options with Digital TV
     (MediaDaily News PDF posted 2/08)
 WNBC to Air “Get Ready for Digital TV” special (TVNewsday PDF posted 2/08)
 New Multicast Digital Networks: Boon or Yawn? (Media Post PDF posted 2/08)
 Digital Networks Vie for Affiliation Deals (TVNewsday PDF posted 2/08)
 DTV Multicast Net Strikes Deal with Sony (Broadcasting & Cable PDF posted 11/07)
 KWCH Wichita Seizes DTV Education Initiative (TVNEWSDAY PDF posted 11/07)
 Local Watertown Station Educating Public through Blogs
     (Online TV Marketing PDF posted 11/07)
 FCC Oct. 15 2007 DTV Hearing: Broadcasters Announce $697Million Campaign
      (PDF posted 10/07)
 NAB DTV Marketing Overview (PDF posted 10/07) 
 There’s more to Local HD than Hardware (TVNEWSDAY PDF posted 10/07)
 Quincy Gets Jump on Equipping Viewers for DTV (PDF) 
 CBC Stations Launch DTV Transition PSA Campaign (PDF)

DTV News
 Senate Analog Nightlight Bill Introduced (B&C PDF posted 10/08)
 Digital Switchover to Create Tons of E-Trash (BusinessGreen.com PDF posted 2/08)
 Centris Study on DTV Glitch Called 'Misleading' (Mediaweek PDF posted 2/08)
 Study: Signal Drop Glitch Exists in DTV Switchover Plan (Mediaweek PDF posted 2/08)
 Failure of Microsoft Device Could Damage White Spaces Campaign
    (CNNmoney.com PDF posted 2/08)
 Martin Plan: Must Carry for Class A – LPTV Stations (Multichannel News PDF posted 2/08)
 NBC Seeks a Sweep Shift (Hollywood Reporter PDF posted 2/08)
 Broadcasters Get Leeway on Digital TV Switch (Reuters PDF posted 1/08)
 For LPTV, DTV is a Countdown to Disaster (TVNEWSDAY PDF posted 11/07)
 NAB DTV Press Conference / Starcom Mediavest Sees Broadcasters Generating
    98 Billion Impressions (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 10/07)
 Beijing Olympics to Kick-Start Mainstream HD Adoption (PDF Broadcasting & Cable 10/07)

 DTV Related Links