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David Bruce Murray seems to be quite irritated, er, interested in the upcoming DTV switch. The latest news it that the previous deadline for the final switch, February 17th, has now been extended to June to allow for the lazy people to get their TV fixed for the conversion.
What the ordinance really states is that TV stations must cease analog transmissions by a certain date, since the frequencies that they broadcast on are being reassigned to other users (such as cell phones). What the ordinance does NOT state, however, is that TV stations must continue an analog broadcast up to that date.
I personally think that stations that are ready to make the switch should just go ahead and do it. Once the people who are dragging their feet see that they can no longer find out if the 15th guy tested is the father on Maury, they'll be the first ones in line to get their converter boxes. If they don't have an incentive, they won't make the switch!!
Monday, February 9, 2009
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The major networks have already stated they will wait for the June date to cease analog broadcasts. Public stations like PBS, etc., are more likely to go ahead and cut their broadcasts off next week. As I mentioned regarding it not being a firm date, this is only going to further confuse people to have some stations blinking off now and others later...but yeah, maybe it will drive them to go ahead and order their converter boxes.
Surprisingly enough, at least one of my local stations here in the OH/WV/KY tristate region is cutting off their analog signal on the original date. Up to this point they have been vigorously advertising the switch to make sure people are ready. There is not a lot of money in broadcast here anyway (compared to your larger markets), so it is more cost effective for them to shut off the analog as soon as possible.
Today, the word from the FCC is that approximately 40% of all the stations in the US will switch off their analog signals on the February date as originally planned.
The rest will remain on the air at least for part of the allowed delay.
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