FCC to advertise digital TV switch over (USA)
Members of the Federal Communications Commission reportedly will appear at meetings and other public events in 80 cities around the United States in an effort to publicize the switch to digital signals from traditional analog service on February 17. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that We intend to take whatever actions are necessary to try to continue to minimize the burden that’s going to be placed on average consumers around the country. FCC’s Five Commissioners will going to make personal visits to cities like Atlanta and Chicago to Anchorage Alaska and El Paso, Texas. To test whether the consumers are willing for the switch over, this campaign may also include a soft test. As per the test, local TV stations will briefly switch off their analog signals to check the switch.
Even Congress has ordered the switch to digital television to free public airwaves for other uses such as police and fire departments. Campaign is going to target the local markets that includes 100,000 households, or at least 15 percent of the households, rely solely on over-the-air signals for television. They are aiming at those group who are most likely to be affected by the switch-over, such as older viewers, or the poor or disabled, as well as those who live in rural areas or do not speak English. Broadcasters are also coming forward in creating awareness about the approaching switch over. They have also promised to air more than $327 million worth of television spots as part of the effort.
