DTV Outreach - Sample News Release #2
Digital Television Transition – For Use in Announcing a DTV Transition Awareness Event
Sample Press Release #2
[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. Send to the media during the week preceding
your event.]
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 Organization] To Sponsor “DTV Awareness Day” on [date]
[Your City and State] -- February 17, 2009 has been
set as the deadline for the digital transition by the U.S. Congress.
After that date, most TV broadcasting will be digital. To help
answer the many questions the transition to digital television (DTV)
raises, [your organization] is sponsoring “DTV Awareness Day” on
[date]. It will be held at [place] from [time]. It will include
[describe activities, e.g., workshops, panels, speakers, etc.].
[Your spokesman] announced the event, stating, “February 2009 will
be here sooner than we think. [Your organization] is happy to
sponsor “DTV Awareness Day.” This event will help everyone
understand the DTV transition - what it is and what it means to
them. Please join us on [date].”
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.
Beginning in 2008, U.S. households may be able to obtain up to two coupons
worth $40 each toward the purchase of converter boxes. The program
will be run by the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA), a part of the U.S. Department of Congress,
which has issued rules regarding the coupon program. (Please note
that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). If you are a cable or satellite customer, you
need to check with your service provider to be assured of a smooth
transition after February 17, 2009.
Why is the
country converting to digital? 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. 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).
There are many sources of information about the
digital transition but one of the best is
www.dtv.gov, or calling
1-888-CALL-FCC. You can get information on what DTV is, questions
consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what
programs are available in DTV, and much more.
So,
come and learn about the digital transition. Don’t let your
television go dark after February 17, 2009.
Last reviewed/updated on 11/14/08 |
