Rep. Markey, along with more than a dozen local broadcasters and data service providers, will work together this coming Tuesday to test the Boston TV market’s digital transition readiness 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To help viewers prepare for the federally mandated shutdown of full-power television analog signals and the transition to digital television (DTV) on February 17, 2009, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee as well as the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association (MBA), have joined all Boston market broadcast television stations and cable providers to launch ‘DTV Day’ on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

‘DTV Day' is a market-wide educational initiative designed to let viewers know whether or not they are ready for DTV Transition.  Here in the Boston market, all television stations and cable providers have come together to make this the most comprehensive, informational, and far-reaching readiness test in the country.

Rep. Markey said, "The coming transition to DTV will be revolutionary for television while hopefully passing almost unnoticed by most consumers. In order to ensure a smooth transition, I have been conducting extensive oversight of federal DTV transition efforts, and now I am pleased to join with the leadership of Boston's television media to better inform our local community through this unique ‘DTV Day.'  Our local stations are showing an impressive dedication to serving their viewers by cooperating on this DTV outreach effort. I am proud that the Boston market can be an example across the country." 

Boston's ‘DTV Day' is a three-pronged community awareness program:

• Intermittent daylong crawls on all outlets promoting DTV information on a single station (WGBH-TV analog)
• Daylong, uninterrupted DTV information on a single, destination station (WGBH-TV analog)
• Three, 2-minute ‘Virtual Shutdown' readiness tests on all outlets at 5:15 a.m., 6:15 a.m., 5:15 p.m.

Boston's ‘DTV Day' participants are:

WBZ-TV (CBS)
WBPX-TV (ION Media Networks)
WCVB-TV (ABC)
WDPX-TV (ION Media Networks)
WFXT-TV (FOX)
WGBH-TV (PBS)
WGBX-TV (PBS)
WHDH-TV (NBC)
WLVI-TV (CW)
WMFP-TV (MTBI)
WNEU-TV (Telemundo)
WPXG-TV (ION Media Networks)
WSBK-TV (IND)
WUNI-TV (Univision)
WUTF-TV (Telefutura)
WWDP-TV (Shop NBC)
BELD Broadband
Charter Communications
Comcast
Duncan Cable
MetroCast
Norwood Light Broadband
Pine Tree Cablevision
RCN
SELCO Cable
SkiSat Cable
Southern Vermont Cable
TDS Cable
Time Warner
Verizon

Here's how Boston's ‘DTV Day' will work:

On Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., all media outlets will participate in a messaging campaign that will involve the same DTV readiness information in English and/or in Spanish on crawls airing on all stations.  What is above-and-beyond other markets, and unique to Boston, is that these crawls also will direct viewers to go to a single destination station, WGBH-TV (PBS), to check if their sets are ready. WGBH will carry a special, day-long alert for analog viewers and an informational program on how to make the switch to digital. A message on the screen will tell viewers their set is not ready, and will list a free phone number to call for more information. 

As educational background, WGBH will continuously run the 30-minute program, Get Ready for Digital TV, featuring THIS OLD HOUSE hosts Norm Abram and Kevin O'Connor visiting Boston-area homes and giving hands- on guidance for checking TV sets for digital readiness. The program will be in English and Spanish. (Viewers whose sets are digital ready will see WGBH-TV's regular program line-up.) Thanks to the combined promotional power of the media outlets and the daylong alert on WGBH-TV analog, viewers can access DTV Transition information at a time convenient for them.  It also allows viewers to have time to see and comprehend what DTV Transition means, check multiple TVs in the home, and even visit a neighbor or family member to help them get ready for DTV.

In addition to daylong crawls on the stations and content on WGBH-TV analog, all stations will participate in a ‘Virtual Shutdown' readiness test.  The test will occur simultaneously across all channels at 5:15 a.m., 6:15 a.m., and 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9.  The tests will last two minutes each and will alert television audiences whether or not their TV sets are ready for the DTV Transition through a full screen graphic alternating in English and/or Spanish that will inform them of any steps they must take, if necessary. 

More on DTV Coming February, 17, 2009:

Broadcasters are in the midst of exciting and dramatic changes as they prepare for the February 17, 2009 digital television (DTV) transition, the federally mandated switch from analog to digital television broadcasting.  This means conventional television broadcasting, as we currently know it, will come to an end.

The new upgraded digital technology will offer a myriad of consumer advantages, including crystal clear pictures and CD-quality sound, as well as multiple programming choices, HDTV and interactive options.  The transition will also make additional spectrum available for advanced wireless applications.

Nationally, more than 34 million households will be affected by the DTV Transition, including approximately 70 million television sets, according to data released by the National Association of Broadcasters.

Television sets connected to cable or satellite should not be affected, and will continue to receive broadcast programming after that date.  But, television sets that are not connected to cable, satellite, a telephone company television service provider or do not have a built-in digital tuner, will need a converter box to continue receiving broadcast television signals after the transition occurs.

Importantly, those most disproportionately affected by the DTV Transition will be seniors, minority populations, the economically disadvantaged, and those living in rural areas.

Prior to the February 2009 transition date, consumers who do not subscribe to cable or satellite television, but who receive free, broadcast-only TV reception will have three options to navigate the DTV Transition:

(1)    Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner;

(2)     Purchase a set-top converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set; or

(3)    Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider, in which case analog sets will continue to function.

Consumers can now purchase a DTV converter box that plugs into an existing analog set and allows continued free television reception. Upon request, the federal government will provide households up to two $40 coupons that can be used toward the purchase of these boxes. The boxes will be available at retail stores that sell electronic equipment. For more information about the coupon program or to apply, visit www.DTV2009.gov or call 1 (888) DTV-2009.

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