DTV update, stations ignore Obama

DTV update, stations ignore Obama

Andrew Lyle on 10 February 2009 - 23:06 · 33 comments & 7059 views

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With all the recent news about DTV and when or if the switch is happening, many TV stations are sticking to the original plan of switching on February 17, 2009, after Obama had successfully pushed the date back to June 12, 2009.

491 of the 1796 (27%) full powered TV stations will be converting next Tuesday in a respect to them already being prepared for the transitions. Of the 491 companies, Fox is one of the 491 that will cut off all analog signals and completely switch to digital television, saving both power and opening up airwaves.

The bill to switch every station over to digital was delayed by Obama, after many Americans were under prepared for the transition. Millions of Americans have still yet to exchange their $40 coupons from the U.S. government to help people purchase a converter box in order to receive any signal.

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(1 reply) #1 RangerLG on 11 Feb 2009 - 00:11

Good. I hope all 1796 switch their analog off in the coming weeks before the June extension.

#1.1 nemo on 11 Feb 2009 - 00:21

+ effing 1

(1 reply) #2 lylesback2 on 11 Feb 2009 - 00:11

Just want to state for the record, Obama does allow stations to update as early as Feb 17th, but many companies have chosen to ignore the delay, and continue with the transitions.

#2.1 Nodiaque on 11 Feb 2009 - 03:50

It's called a deadline. Sure all of those that are ready will be pushing as of feb 17th, they could even do it before if they wish, it's a deadline. Even if Obama pushed the date (as stated in the news), why would a station, already prepared, wait more? I don't see you're point "for the record" when all you said is in the news.

(2 replies) #3 Biotoxic_hazard_835 on 11 Feb 2009 - 00:32

Good for them. Why does the majority of us who are ready for the switch have to wait for a few lazy procrastinators ?

#3.1 solardog on 11 Feb 2009 - 17:06

Biotoxic_hazard_835 said,

Good for them. Why does the majority of us who are ready for the switch have to wait for a few lazy procrastinators ?

Hope and change! That's why. and that's all you need to know.

#3.2 hardgiant on 11 Feb 2009 - 20:13

Who says you are waiting?

What major change do you think will happen?

Digital TV has been broadcasting for years already.

(1 reply) #4 neufuse on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:03

They should switch! The stations didn't budget for 4 months of wasting money running analog transmitters and digital transmitters together! they all budgeted to only run digital after feb 17th... it cost a LOT of money to run two transmitters

#4.1 cork1958 on 11 Feb 2009 - 09:33

neufuse said,

This is part of Obama's bi-paritsan governemnt, where nobody in or out of governemnt cooperates, and another way to effectively WASTE time and money. I think he forgot how screwed up the economy is. Either that, or he's just trying to find a way to create a mess in the entertainment industry, so we can bail them out too. That's the sneaky way the RIAA is getting their hands in the pie.

#5 BiGdUsTy on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:19

Two local stations in my area are switching on the 16th.

#6 chAos972 on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:33

Why wouldn't they move forward? If they've been preparing for this for how many years now, only to have it put back again.

(1 reply) #7 Kevin. on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:37

For some reason, President Obama hasn't signed the bill into law yet. He is also taking comments on the bill for those interested in giving their input.

Last edited by Kevin. on 11 Feb 2009 - 03:13

#7.1 Shadrack on 11 Feb 2009 - 03:08

Kevin. said,

For some reason, President Obama hasn't signed the bill into law yet. He is also taking comments on the bill for those interesting in giving their input.

Thanks for the link Kevin. I left Pres. Obama a note.

#8 Kevin. on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:41

Bah. It looks like the stations in Atlanta are delaying their analog shutdown until June 12th. This is ironic since Atlanta was considered one of the most DTV ready cities.

#9 rdmiller on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:44

The bill passed by Congress says stations CAN switch analog off on Feb 17, but they MUST turn it off by June 12. The bill still hasn't been signed into law. The President has bigger things to worry about - herding cats.

(1 reply) #10 duntkno on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:49

hmm i wish i could find a list of whos doing it

#10.1 Kevin. on 11 Feb 2009 - 02:38

Here is the list:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/atta...DA-09-221A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/atta...DA-09-221A3.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/atta...DA-09-221A5.pdf

A1 is the notice itself
A3 is the "current FCC List" of stations shutting down on Feb 17 or before
A5 is the list of all full power stations (including those in A3).

(1 reply) #11 mclaren05 on 11 Feb 2009 - 02:28

Everyone should go digital. EVERYONE.

#11.1 +TCLN Ryster on 11 Feb 2009 - 10:33

mclaren05 said,

Everyone should go digital. EVERYONE.

That's not in dispute. EVERYONE will be going digital. It's just a matter of when.

(1 reply) #12 C_Guy on 11 Feb 2009 - 04:37

after many Americans were under prepared for the transition

Well, people who leave things to the last minute are sure to complain but it's not like they didn't have AMPLE warning!

#12.1 Knad on 11 Feb 2009 - 09:51

Yeah, it is far from the majority!

(1 reply) #13 redvamp128 on 11 Feb 2009 - 05:03

I think that most of this stems from the inability of them to get out the certificates. (or coupons) for those in need.
Though hopefully they will switch in my area soon. I think that I should be getting a Fox Station- I get stations farther away that have already made the switch. I am thinking they are running the digital at reduced power because they are also running the analog signal along with it.

#13.1 +Vlad on 11 Feb 2009 - 08:04

The lack of coupons is because ******** who didn't need the coupons took them, bought converters, and are selling them on places like ebay for a profit (albeit a small one). Offering coupons was a stupid-on-its-face idea if for nothing else because it can be so easily abused.

#14 ataris_kid on 11 Feb 2009 - 05:35

Good. I mean honestly, how long have they had to do something about it? It's not like there's any shortage of DTV converters...

(1 reply) #15 +warwagon on 11 Feb 2009 - 05:50

That video NEVER gets old.

Analog? LOL

Last edited by warwagon on 11 Feb 2009 - 17:37

#15.1 +dead.cell on 11 Feb 2009 - 06:33

The staff finally got tired of the joke apparently.

#16 lillitnn92 on 11 Feb 2009 - 07:12

i work as a Master Control Op for our local ABC/FOX/MNTV affiliate and we are shutting off next week.

(3 replies) #17 nunjabusiness on 11 Feb 2009 - 11:59

I ignore Obama too.

#17.1 2Cold Scorpio on 11 Feb 2009 - 15:39

nunjabusiness said,

I ignore Obama too.

As well you should!

#17.2 xpablo on 11 Feb 2009 - 17:34

#17.3 iamwhoiam on 12 Feb 2009 - 02:34

#18 Kevin. on 11 Feb 2009 - 22:46

Just to give an update, the bill has officially been signed into law.

#19 rdburke on 11 Feb 2009 - 23:16

Obama wants the delay so the people who have not gotten the converter boxes or new TV's who in reality are mostly his "lower class constituents" who watch the most TV to be able to upgrade so they can watch his messages on the tube. No TV, not so happy people. Let's face it, TV is like "comfort food ". When you can't do anything else, you can usually still watch TV, but I agree that people have known about this switch for years and there should not be a delay.

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DTV update, stations ignore Obama

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