Wilmington Crosses the Digital Divide

On Monday, Sept 8 at 12 noon, Wilmington North Carolina's commercial broadcasters turned off their analog transmissions and broadcast digital signals only. The Wilmington analog cut-off is an experimental first step toward the national transition to digital that it set for Feb. 17, 2009, just 162 days from today. The Federal Communications Commission and broadcasters are eager to learn what impact the DTV will have on the public. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin was on hand in Wilmington along with Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo to flip the ceremonial switch on analog TV - -actually a prop eight-foot-high light switch. "Wilmington ... has transitioned to DTV," said Hank Price, president, North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, after the switch was moved to the on position. "North Carolina ... First in flight; now first in digital." "You are actually writing the playbook for the rest of America," said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, speaking during the pre-switch proceedings.