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According to the highly esteemed entertainment magazine Variety:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985315.html?categoryid=1054&cs=1
Wilmington to test digital switch
City acts as a test market for upcoming change
The city of Wilmington, N.C., has volunteered to be a test market as an indicator of how well -- or poorly -- the nationwide switch to all-digital television may go next year, Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin announced Thursday.
At noon Sept. 8, Wilmington area TV stations WWAY (ABC), WSFX (Fox), WECT (NBC), WILM-LP (CBS) and W51CW (Trinity Broadcasting) will shut off analog signals and broadcast only in digital.
"This test market will be an early transition that will give broadcasters and consumers a chance to experience in advance the upcoming DTV transition," Martin said in making the announcement. "This early test will help us minimize potential burdens for viewers and maximize their ability to benefit from it."
Martin hailed North Carolina -- his home state -- for its history as a pioneer in flight, noting the Wright brothers' success in Kitty Hawk in 1903.
"In the same vein of American spirit, I am pleased to announce that Wilmington will be the first market in the country to make the transition to digital television," Martin said.
"The commission identified Wilmington as one of only a limited number of potential test markets because all the commercial stations in the market have already completed construction of their DTV channels and are operating at full post-transition power," Martin continued. "The commission will use the test market as an opportunity to work very closely in advance with broadcasters, viewers, cable companies and others who will be affected to anticipate and address any problems."
While the FCC as well as broadcast and cable outlets have been mounting educational campaigns to inform consumers about the coming switch to digital TV, many officials and close observers worry that more needs to be done to facilitate a smooth transition.
Viewers most at risk are those who have analog sets that are dependent on over-the-air transmission. If they do not hook those sets to a cable or satellite system, they will need to attach a digital-to-analog converter box so that the analog sets can receive a picture after the nationwide transition, skedded for Feb. 17.
Martin said the FCC will work to make sure that converter boxes are readily available in Wilmington before Sept. 8. Among other things, the commission will try to disseminate word of the early transition to area residents through on-air PSAs and by participating in large public events in the city.
The idea of a test market originated with FCC commissioner Michael Copps last March. Commending Martin for agreeing, Copps said, "This is very good news for the DTV transition. Real-world experience is an extremely important step -- although only one of many -- that will help minimize consumer disruption next February. Broadway shows open on the road to work out the kinks before opening night. The DTV transition deserves no less."
Jonathan Collegio, vp for the DTV transition for National Assn. of Broadcasters, issued a cautionary statement:
"The FCC-initiated experiment in Wilmington can shed light on a number of issues surrounding the national DTV transition in February 2009. The results must be objectively reviewed to determine how or whether the findings can be applied nationwide."
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