TechnoBabble

Those following the digital transition know that February 17, 2009 is poised to be a special day in the annuals of broadcasting. The day the USA ceases full power analog television broadcasting, UNLESS you live or frequent Wilmington, North Carolina.

In true Washington fashion, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat, has been haranging FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican and a North Carolina native son from Charlotte, that a test market for the transition needs to be set up to see if people can ACTUALLY see digital television before the February 17 cut off date. His rational "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". I guess Commissioner Copps missed the memo that stated stations have been broadcasting digital for almost 10 years and there are people who ACTUALLY watch TV this way, but hey, Washington can't let a good political jab get in the way of the truth, but I digress.

The FCC has announced that starting September 8, 2008, the full power analog television stations in the Wilmington DMA must cease their analog broadcasts. So if you live in Wilmington, go to the beach in the Wilmington area, or watch the Wilmington stations, be sure you have either a new digital TV, a converter box or have cable or satellite by September 8 or you will see static on your analog only TV after that.

Wilmington was picked because all of their digital stations are on the air at full power, on their final channels and locations and the population is less than 100,000 and a low penetration of free over the air households, meaning 92% of TV watchers get their TV from cable or satellite leaving only 8% who get it over the air, a low number nationwide. I don't think the FCC figured in the vacationers who bring TVs into the market on their stays and most use antennas. But I digress again, sorry.

The local Wilmington stations have already stepped up telling viewers to be ready for the switch on September 8th by telling them how and where to get the government converter boxes and who will need them. WECT TV wasted no time in getting their website up and running with the latest information for people in the Wilmington area.

The Mayor of Wilmington, Bill Saffo, seems pretty happy to be the test market. He says, "It's a huge opportunity for Wilmington to pave the way for the rest of country. I am looking forward to working with [the FCC] and honored to be the first community in the country to do it." Saffo said he was well-aware that the eyes of the nation would be following DTV developments in his town.

Well the industry will be watching that is for sure. But if the rest of the country will, that is yet to be determined.

Stay tuned.