NAB: No TVs Go Black in 2009

(From SKYReport, a satellite/telco/cable newsletter)

[Aside: I wonder how border Canadians who have relied on terrestrial
analog US broadcasts will fare. Can they get boxes in Canada?]

videonovels...

Probably; just order them from U.S. websites. Is Canada going to
continue broadcasting analog tv on canadian stations? Of course,
Madison Advenue doesn't really care if Canadians watch U.S. tv or not.

Kantica22...

Tell non-Uncle "Uncle Dave" don't worry about it. I'm pretty sure he/she
will have no money to even order Basic Radio leftover by 2009, let alone TV
for Canada/London. LOL.

NAB: No TVs Go Black in 2009

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA),
a Commerce Department agency responsible for advising the White House
on telecommunications policy, proposed new rules on how to manage a
program designed to keep Americans plugged in after the big turn off.

videonovels...

This is a very strange date to choose. Right in the middle of Sweeps
month. I'm sure it will impact the ratings to some extent as people
"lose track" of their stations moving from temporary channels (say 52)
to permanent channels (8).

Kantica22...

yeah yeah sure sure uh huh. Well, we "mere mortals" like to "wait and see"
instead of relying upon King Arthur Class Web Rumor. So, if you can indeed
see the future, why aren't you rich? Why aren't you credited of the "Father
of DVDs"?

Take Care. LOL.

That is, on Feb. 17, 2009 when the digital TV transition kicks into
high hear and kicks analog TVs to the curb.

NTIA's plan is to subsidize DTV converter boxes to ensure Americans
don't lose access to broadcast TV after the hard cut-off date. But, the
agency said, the government voucher - worth $40 - will only apply to
broadcast-only households. Huh?

videonovels...

That's me!
No cable tv here, so everything I receive is broadcast-only. I guess
the gov't-policy makers figure Cable subscribers can get
digital-to-analog boxes FREE from the private cable companies, so no
need for vouchers.

.

In other words, no home that subscribes to a pay TV service via cable
or satellite - that may have a second or third or how many ever
additional non-digital sets - are out, well, on the curb (without TV
signals). Those extra sets will not be eligible for the DTV converter
box program.

NAB's hardline response: "NAB always expected that homes relying
exclusively on broadcast television would be given priority by NTIA
when it adopts DTV converter-box rules," association spokesman Dennis
Wharton said. "However, we would hope that no broadcast-only TV sets
are forced to go dark during this transition. NAB will continue working
with policymakers to ensure minimal consumer disruption as the February
2009 date approaches."

They've got your back.

FYI: Congress did allocate up to $1.5 billion for the converter box
program, which would pay for about 37 million converter boxes.

videonovels...

.

Probably some of those 45 million will hook up cable during the next 3
years, so there should be plenty of money to go around.

$40 vouchers.

How much is a digital-to-analog converter/tuner box? I know I'm
definitely waiting for the voucher. It's like getting a $40 tax
refund.

According to the Government Accountability Office, there are 73 million
"broadcast-only" TV sets currently in use in the U.S., 45 million of
which are exclusively in "broadcast-only" homes. Another 28 million
"broadcast only" TV sets are in homes that subscribe to cable and
satellite.