UPDATE ON THE DTV TRANSITION

[Apoptosis]

UPDATE ON THE DTV TRANSITION

Washington, D.C. – All full-power television stations in the United States will have ceased analog transmission and will broadcast only in digital by the end of today. The Federal Communications Commission has been coordinating the transition and will be updating the news media on its status and the latest information related to consumer questions. The news media can expect the following updates:

Saturday, June 13

11 a.m. ET
Press release on status of transition, including FCC Call Center data from June 12
To be distributed to FCC national media list via email

1:00 p.m. ET
Media Briefing/Q&A via conference call with Acting Chairman Copps, Commissioners Adelstein and McDowell. Dial-in: 888-469-0848 (no pass code, operator assisted)

2:00 p.m. ET
On-camera Media Availability with Acting Chairman Copps, Commissioners Adelstein and McDowell
Outdoors, under portico at entrance to FCC building
445 12th St., S.W.
Washington, DC 20554

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET
B-roll feed of FCC Command Center (footage from June 12; technical questions about the feed or requests for hard copies should be directed to MultiVu Media Relations at 800-653-5313, ext. 3)

AMC 3
C-Band
Transponder 3
Downlink Freq: 3760 Horizontal

COVERING THE DTV TRANSITION -- MEDIA FAQ

Q: What indicators will FCC use to determine how the transition is going?
A: The FCC will be looking at a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

· Patterns or trends in the types of consumer calls coming in to our toll-free hotline, 1-888-CALL-FCC.
· Reports from broadcasters and other external sources
· Feedback from our 200-plus FCC staff in the field.

Q: Where are people directed if they have concerns or problems with their transition?

A: Consumers should call 1-888-CALL-FCC, which is the FCC’s toll-free clearinghouse for information, including instructions of the steps necessary to make the switch and referrals to local vendors who will install consumers’ converter boxes free of charge. The call center will have 4,000 operators ready to take calls.

[Zertz]

I bet the lines are going to be busy this weekend when people lose their analog TV :o

[Alathald]

I bet the lines are going to be busy this weekend when people lose their analog TV :o

Definately, about half of our sales the past couple days have been DTV boxes or antennas. We've had quite a few people pissed of when they find out they need to upgrade their antennas because the ones they've been using for years won't work with the digital signal.

[hnzw_rui]

Definately, about half of our sales the past couple days have been DTV boxes or antennas. We've had quite a few people pissed of when they find out they need to upgrade their antennas because the ones they've been using for years won't work with the digital signal.

Uh, an antenna is an antenna. So long as it's able to get UHF (and VHF for the one or two channels that use it), it'll be fine. Heck, I've seen a lot of DIY antennae made from coat hangers...