DTV Outreach - Sample News Release #1
Digital Television Transition
Sample Press Release #1
[Cut and paste this press release onto your
organization’s letterhead. Be sure to double-space. If the press
release runs more than two pages, consider using a smaller typeface or
line-and-one-half spacing, or edit the text.]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [Insert date]
CONTACT: [Insert name, phone number]
[NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION] URGES
TV VIEWERS TO GEAR UP FOR THE CONVERSION TO ALL-DIGITAL TELEVISION
[Your City and State] -- After February 17, 2009,
full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only. In
1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional
broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could
start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing
their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that
February 17, 2009, would be the last day for full-power television
stations to broadcast in analog. The switch from analog to digital
broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV)
transition. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently
broadcasting in both analog and digital.
[Your spokesman] said, “February 2009 will be
here sooner than we think. Now is the time for us all to get up to
speed on DTV: what is it; what does it mean to me; what do I need to
do? We at [your organization] encourage everyone to educate
themselves on this important issue.”
Digital broadcasting allows stations to offer
improved picture and sound quality, and digital is much more
efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to
providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super
sharp “high definition” (HD) digital program or multiple “standard
definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process
called “multicasting.” Multicasting allows broadcast stations to
offer several channels of digital programming at the same time,
using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program.
So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7
is only able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in
digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital program on
channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third
digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more
programming choices for viewers. Further, DTV can provide
interactive video and data services that are not possible with
analog technology.
An important benefit of the switch to
all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the
valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such
as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the
spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide
consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless
broadband).
For viewers who have one or more televisions
that receive free over-the-air programming (with a roof-top antenna
or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very
important. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital
tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air
programming after February 17, 2009. However, if you have an analog
television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to
continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter
box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming
that your local stations are offering.
To help consumers with the DTV transition, the
Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon
Program. The National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce,
administers this program. Every U.S. household is eligible to
receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of
eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. You will be able to
request the coupons beginning in January of 2008. The coupons may
only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating
consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the
time of purchase. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90
days after mailing). Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog
converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-time
cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s Web site at
www.dtv2009.gov, or
call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog
TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be
affected by the February 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power
analog broadcasting, but should contact their provider to find out
anything is needed to be prepared for the February deadline.
There are many sources of information about the
digital transition but one of the best is the government’s Web site
www.dtv.gov. It contains information on what DTV is, questions
consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what
programs are available in DTV, and much more. You can also call
1-888-CALL-FCC.
Last reviewed/updated on 11/14/08 |