What's to Come

A Plan For Digital TV Conversion

Does the FCC have a plan for the Digital TV conversion slated for February 17, 2009? Congress isn't sure and is beginning to raise the caution flags as to the potential fall-out.


In short, on February 17, 2009, analog signals will cease to exist, thus making those analog televisions that rely on over the air, or terrestrial signals useless. That means no more soaps, American Idol, or any other shows for an estimated 20% of the population. That's enough to cause major political upheaval and Congress knows it! See today's article in the Kansas City Star titled Congress prepares for digital TV switch

Consumers will have three options: They can buy new TV sets with digital tuners. They can connect to cable, satellite or a pay-television service. Or they can buy a converter box for $60 to $70 that will allow them to watch digital programming with their old analog sets.

What's at stake besides lost elections and people finding something else to do with the 4.6 hours each day that they watch TV? It's a little thing called spectrum and the desire to free up spectrum for public safety use and to auction off the rest for billions of dollars.

I suspect this one will get real interesting over the next months.

posted by Andy Huckaba @ 3:21 PM