Educational Video Script – FCC

Chapter One - What is DTV?

This video is furnished by the Federal Communications Commission.

Is your TV ready for digital? Hello I’m Chairman Kevin Martin of the Federal Communication Commission. By February 17th TV stations will stop broadcasting in analog and broadcast only in digital. Your TV needs to be ready so you can keep watching.

Digital television, also known as DTV, is here. And, after February 17th, TV stations will turn off their analog signal. The FCC wants to be sure you are ready to keep watching TV.

DTV offers improved picture and sound quality, and, for many people, additional free programming. If your TV is ready, you can have the benefits of DTV right now.

This video will explain how to tell if your TV is ready for the DTV transition. And if not, about the options you have for getting DTV.

Even if you’re ready for DTV, you’ll still want to watch this video. Maybe you can help a friend or neighbor who’s not ready, or who doesn’t know if they’re ready.

And if you need to know more, you can call us toll-free at 1-888-CALL-FCC. Or you can go online at www.DTV.gov.

Currently, most TV stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital formats. But after February 17, 2009, TV stations will broadcast only in digital. This change is called the “DTV transition.”

Why all digital? Because digital technology works more efficiently. Digital takes up less space, or spectrum, than analog technology.

As a part of the DTV transition, more spectrum is now being made available for important public safety needs, such as local police, fire and emergency rescue communications.

Digital technology also provides more programming options, because in the same amount of spectrum that stations use to broadcast one analog channel, they can broadcast multiple digital channels. This is called multicasting. With these extra channels comes the opportunity for broadcasters to offer more local programming.

So what should you do to prepare for the DTV transition and make sure you can continue watching your favorite channels and programs? Well, most people won’t have to make any changes at all, and for those who do, there are simple steps that you can take right now. More about that coming up.

But we also want to encourage you to call 1-888- CALL-FCC for more information. Or go online – our website offers fact sheets and answers to frequently asked questions….everything you need to know to be ready for the DTV transition.

 

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