Nebraska public TV goes digital Nov. 9
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
LINCOLN (AP) -- Public television viewers in southeast Nebraska must make sure their sets are compatible with digital technology by Nov. 9 or risk missing "Masterpiece Theatre," "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" and Nebraska volleyball games.
NET Television will shut off its analog signal this week in Lincoln (KUON) and begin broadcasting in digital next Sunday. NET's analog signal in Norfolk (KXNE) will be turned off next week, with broadcasting resuming there Nov. 24.
Cable and satellite subscribers, who account for 65 percent of the state's TV viewers, won't be affected by the change.
People who watch over-the-air TV with an antenna must replace their existing sets with digital televisions or install converter boxes.
Commercial stations switch to digital in February.
"Being in the lead is not the most comfortable position to be set in," NET assistant manager David Feingold told the Lincoln Journal Star. "We're set up with help desks and ready to hold people's hands."
The switch to digital is a result of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, which requires full-power stations to cease analog broadcasting. The reason for the law is that digital broadcasting provides a clearer picture and more channels and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
The law created a $19 billion TV converter box coupon program, funded by the airwaves auction and not tax dollars.
The program allows households to request up to two $40 coupons for the purchase of certified converter boxes. Coupons may be requested until March 31, or while supplies last.
Converter boxes generally cost between $45 and $80, and coupons expire 90 days from the date they are mailed.
Nielsen Media Research estimates about 247,000 households watch television with antennas in Nebraska. Of those, more than 205,000 have requested converter box coupons. However, only 90,000 have redeemed them.
"I think there is a gap between the awareness of it and people taking action," Feingold said. "They may be confused by our early transition because they keep hearing about Feb. 17."
NET Television will shut off its analog signal this week in Lincoln (KUON) and begin broadcasting in digital next Sunday. NET's analog signal in Norfolk (KXNE) will be turned off next week, with broadcasting resuming there Nov. 24.
Cable and satellite subscribers, who account for 65 percent of the state's TV viewers, won't be affected by the change.
People who watch over-the-air TV with an antenna must replace their existing sets with digital televisions or install converter boxes.
Commercial stations switch to digital in February.
"Being in the lead is not the most comfortable position to be set in," NET assistant manager David Feingold told the Lincoln Journal Star. "We're set up with help desks and ready to hold people's hands."
The switch to digital is a result of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, which requires full-power stations to cease analog broadcasting. The reason for the law is that digital broadcasting provides a clearer picture and more channels and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
The law created a $19 billion TV converter box coupon program, funded by the airwaves auction and not tax dollars.
The program allows households to request up to two $40 coupons for the purchase of certified converter boxes. Coupons may be requested until March 31, or while supplies last.
Converter boxes generally cost between $45 and $80, and coupons expire 90 days from the date they are mailed.
Nielsen Media Research estimates about 247,000 households watch television with antennas in Nebraska. Of those, more than 205,000 have requested converter box coupons. However, only 90,000 have redeemed them.
"I think there is a gap between the awareness of it and people taking action," Feingold said. "They may be confused by our early transition because they keep hearing about Feb. 17."
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H wrote on Nov 3, 2008 11:13 AM: