J
JohnW
Guest
Why are there so many ads promoting the February '09 switch to digital TV airing now? Even Norm Abrams on PBS is telling me to get ready. It's only March '08.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Because if you don't beat people over the head with it, they won't figure it out. As it is, people won't figure it out, so the least they can do is say they tried.
Plus, coupons are being mailed currently 6-8 weeks after they're ordered. That means that if people don't get them early, they won't have them by Feb 17 2009, especially since demand for them is expected to climb as the transition grows near. Further, stores will run out of boxes to sell if everyone tries to get them at the last minute rather than spreading it out over a period of months.
I personally have already gotten two boxes and plan to get more during the summer. My parents managed to pick some up while they were still in stock. Often they're being bought out soon after arrival, and as you said, it's only March.
- Trip
Plus, coupons are being mailed currently 6-8 weeks after they're ordered. That means that if people don't get them early, they won't have them by Feb 17 2009, especially since demand for them is expected to climb as the transition grows near. Further, stores will run out of boxes to sell if everyone tries to get them at the last minute rather than spreading it out over a period of months.
I personally have already gotten two boxes and plan to get more during the summer. My parents managed to pick some up while they were still in stock. Often they're being bought out soon after arrival, and as you said, it's only March.
- Trip
From what I hear, these PSAs and on-screen tickers are mandated by the FCC. Friends of mine in various newsrooms say it doesn't matter how often you do the "what is DTV" story on the news -- there are always people calling with questions about it. Many people simply don't get it, especially older people who simply have no clue about modern technology.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that if you have cable, you won't need a box because the signals are already converted. But, the FCC-mandated announcements usually don't include that little nugget of information.
I feel bad for the folks at Time Warner Cable who are no doubt going to get tons of calls from confused customers who tried to hook a DTV converter box to their cable box, and want to know why they can't watch TV anymore. And then, after TWC tells them the boxes aren't needed, I feel bad for the electronics stores who will be stuck dealing with customers who are angry that they wasted their time buying something they didn't need.
In the end, it's kind of funny to think that the government can afford to voluntarily hand out $600 to everyone just for the heck of it, yet they can only give you coupons that partially cover the cost of these converter boxes which are required for anyone who wants to continue watching OTA television after February 2009.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that if you have cable, you won't need a box because the signals are already converted. But, the FCC-mandated announcements usually don't include that little nugget of information.
I feel bad for the folks at Time Warner Cable who are no doubt going to get tons of calls from confused customers who tried to hook a DTV converter box to their cable box, and want to know why they can't watch TV anymore. And then, after TWC tells them the boxes aren't needed, I feel bad for the electronics stores who will be stuck dealing with customers who are angry that they wasted their time buying something they didn't need.
In the end, it's kind of funny to think that the government can afford to voluntarily hand out $600 to everyone just for the heck of it, yet they can only give you coupons that partially cover the cost of these converter boxes which are required for anyone who wants to continue watching OTA television after February 2009.
BobRoss said:
They are. Proceeding FCC 08-56, released on the 3rd of last month. To be a bit wordy, stations have three options:
1. Two :15 or longer PSAs and two :60 crawls per day-quarter (6a-noon, noon-6p, 6p-midnight, midnight-6a)
Three, after October 1st.
2. 16 :30 or longer PSAs (or 32 :15 or longer) per week and 16 crawls per week during each quarter between 5am and 1am. 25% to air between 6 and 11:35pm ET/PT. (5 and 10:35pm CT/MT)
Plus, a 30-minute program on the transition, aired at least once before 2/17/09 and between 8am and 11:35pm. (doesn't specify which timezone...)
From Nov. 10th, a "100-Day Countdown" is required with all of the following airing at least once daily:
- 5-15 sec. countdown graphic
- 5-15 sec. animated countdown graphic
- 5-15 sec. countdown or animated countdown with audio
- 2-5 minute segment on the countdown (apparently the FCC expects this to air as a segment in a newscast, though that's not required)
3. This option is available only to non-commercial stations.
60 seconds a day of PSAs, with at least 7.5 minutes per month between 6pm and midnight.
From May 1st this requirement doubles, and doubles again from November 1st.
Plus, one 30-minute or longer program, aired between 8am and 11:35pm (again, timezone not specified...) at least once before Feb. 17th.
My employer has chosen option 1, and I've seen Option 1 crawls on one of our competitors. The rules don't specifically require that you tell viewers they don't need a converter if you have cable, but they do require that the PSAs not include misleading information. We, and our competitor, *have* included text in our crawls indicating you don't need a converter if you have cable or satellite.
- Status