[opendtv] DTV Transition Premiers in Wilmington, North Carolina
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:04:03 -0400
It looks like a more gradual approach to ending the DTV transition is
taking shape, as the larger European countries are doing.
The interesting little tid bit here is that (IIRC) NC is also where the
first real-world trial ATSC transmissions occurred, in 1994. WRAL, I
think it was.
Bert
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http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-282032A1.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2008 Clyde Ensslin, 202-418-0875
Email: clyde.ensslin@xxxxxxx
DTV Transition Premiers in Wilmington, North Carolina
DTV Test Pilot Program to Begin September 8, 2008
Washington, DC - Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin
Martin today announced Wilmington, North Carolina, will be the first
market to test the transition to digital television (DTV) in advance of
the nationwide transition to DTV on February 17, 2009. The commercial
broadcasters serving the Wilmington television market have voluntarily
agreed to turn off their analog signals at noon on September 8, 2008.
Beginning at 12:00 pm on September 8, 2008, these local stations, WWAY
(ABC), WSFX-TV (FOX), WECT (NBC), WILM-LP (CBS), and W51CW (Trinity
Broadcasting) will broadcast only digital signals to their viewers in
the five North Carolina counties that comprise this television market.
Representatives of each local affiliate, Donna Barrett, President and
CEO of Southeastern Media Holdings, Inc. (WSFX (FOX)), Andy Combs,
Station Manager of WWAY (ABC), Jim Goodmon, President and CEO of Capitol
Broadcasting (WILM-LP (CBS)), Paul McTear, President and CEO of Raycom
Media Inc. (WECT (NBC)), and Colby May, Esq. on behalf of Trinity
Broadcasting (W51CW) made the announcement along with the Mayor of
Wilmington, Bill Saffo, and the President and CEO of the Wilmington
Chamber of Commerce, Connie Majure-Rhett.
The DTV transition for the whole country will take place on February 17,
2009, when all full power television stations must turn off their analog
signals and broadcast only digital signals. This test market will be an
early transition that will give broadcasters and consumers a chance to
experience in advance the upcoming DTV transition. The Commission is
coordinating with local officials and community groups to accelerate and
broaden consumer education outreach efforts. The outreach will focus on
the special transition date for Wilmington and the steps viewers may
need to take to be ready by September.
In making the announcement, the Chairman said: "On March 3, 2008, my
colleague, Commissioner Michael Copps, suggested that the Commission
engage in real-world experience readying broadcasters and consumers in
advance of the upcoming digital transition, including test markets that
would switch to all-digital service before February 17, 2009. I commend
the Wilmington broadcasters for their pioneer spirit to go first to help
the entire country prepare for the final transition to digital on
February 17, 2009. This experience will help us to spot issues that we
need to address elsewhere in the country before next February."
The Commission identified Wilmington as one of a limited number of
potential test markets to test the transition because all the commercial
stations in the market have already completed construction of their DTV
channels and are operating at full post-transition power. The Wilmington
PBS station, WUNJ, will continue broadcasting in both analog and
digital. One other low power station has its digital channel assignment,
but will continue broadcasting an analog signal. The Commission will use
the test market as an opportunity to work very closely in advance with
broadcasters, viewers, cable companies and others who will be affected
to anticipate and address any problems. The Commission is also
coordinating with NTIA and local retailers to be sure that
digital-to-analog converter boxes are readily available in local stores
for consumers who rely on over-the-air service and have analog
televisions.
-FCC -
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