DTV Transition: Don't Panic. Yet.

DON'T PANIC. YET
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Feb. 17, 2009 -- a day of infamy or no big deal? Apparently, it is soon to tell. Some are hopeful that the end of analog TV broadcasting will go smoothly and become as big a non-event as Y2K fears were after Jan 1, 2000. But there's also fears that the date for all-digital TV broadcasting is too aggressive -- picked for fiscal reasons rather than smart policy. And there's also some concerns that there's not enough funding available either to let the public know about the transition or to fund subsidies for digital-to-analog converter boxes so that current TVs will continue to work after the deadline.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6417227.html
See also --
* Getting to February 2009: Implementing the Digital TV Transition
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/1257
* Getting to February 2009: Outstanding DTV Transition Issues
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/1260

TV INDUSTRIES NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ON DTV
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Mary Collins, Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association]
[Commentary] With just about 730 days to go in the countdown to digital-only TV broadcasting in the US, there's a lot at stake for TV stations, cable operators and TV manufacturers. Collins salutes the recently-announced joint efforts of the national Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and the Consumer Electronics Association "to ensure that no American loses the ability to view over-the-air television signals due to a lack of accurate information about the transition." The campaign’s components will include collaborating on a Web site, developing print materials for use at points of purchase and in direct mail, PSAs for cable, broadcast and print media and information detailing the “coupon” program being administered by NTIA. But what will be most important about this campaign is its collective and consistent message about DTV. By utilizing these materials to explain DTV, we will remove the issues that sometimes divide our business interests and communicate one message through one voice. This is essential for meeting our common goal of serving our viewers and customers.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/02/15/daily.9/