The deadline has (finally) arrived: Today, television stations across the country are flipping the switch from
analog to digital signals.
The transition has been somewhat rocky, particularly around the communications aspect. Despite ubiquitous public service announcements, media coverage, a postponement of the switchover and even a NASCAR promotion, the FCC was still receiving feedback that substantial portions of the public had not made plans for the change.
In May, for example, during a "soft test,"the Federal Communications Commission received more than three times the number of help calls than it normally does on a regular business day. The soft test prompted a single-day record of 55,000 calls to the FCC's national helpline.
The DTV switch will not affect consumers with cable or satellite service; only homes receiving "over the air" transmissions -- those getting signals via antennae -- need to buy a digital television or a converter box to continue TV reception. The FCC had made $40 coupons available to subsidize the purchase of converter equipment, but they were plagued with short expiration date problems and product shortages.
Without the correct equipment, homes without cable or satellite connections will not receive television service.
According to Nielsen, 2.8 million American households, or 2.5 percent of the television market, are completely unready for the transition to digital television. Younger, African American and Hispanic homes are disproportionately unready, while the elderly are the most ready, according to the television polling firm.
"The overwhelming majority of Americans are prepared, but despite our best efforts, some will lose television service tomorrow," said National Telecommunications and Information Administration Acting Administrator Anna M. Gomez in a statement on Thursday. "Consumers should know that even after June 12, they can still apply for coupons to help them purchase TV converter boxes." The FCC also will continue to offer telephone support service after today's cutoff.
