BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – On June 12 WIVB-TV will turn off our analog signal and broadcast exclusively in digital.

Here’s something to consider if you’ve been putting off that converter purchase:

From Reuters

Despite industry assurances to the contrary, federal regulators are expressing concern about whether there will be enough set-top digital-converter boxes for viewers who will need them after the transition to all-digital TV signals in mid-June. “I do share the concern about whether inventory levels will be sufficient to get us through June 12 and also after June 12,” said Anna Gomez, the acting head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The complete story is here: http://tinyurl.com/dlnhbp

dm

From Broadcasting and Cable:

Four million pending requests for DTV converter box coupons are expected to be filled by the end of next week, the National Telecommunications & Information Administration announced Tuesday. The agency also is ready to receive new applications for recipients whose coupons had expired.

Good news if you have an expired coupon. You can now reapply.

Find the full story by clicking here.

-dm

We’ve been in a lull since the first analog shutdown deadline was modified. Calls and email were coming hot and heavy in the days leading up to February 17th but have tapered off dramatically since. It’s our hope that our viewers aren’t putting off needed preparation for the final analog shutdown.

The weather is certainly improving and if you find an outdoor antenna is required or you need to replace an existing one, you really want to get the job done before analog goes away. Aiming an antenna will be easiest using the analog signal that is already there.

Please don’t make the mistake of waiting until the deadline has passed to start this project. Now is the time to prepare.

It looks like most of the TV stations in the US are waiting for June 12th to drop their analog transmission. From Multichannel News:

According to the Federal Communications Commission, 927 stations have told the agency that they plan to pull the plug on analog June 12, while 158 stations want to make the switch to digital earlier than that.

See the entire story here:  http://tinyurl.com/cpe78o

From Reuters

With about three months to go, U.S. regulators say some consumers are still unprepared for the television industry switch to digital broadcasting, which will affect Americans who do not receive their signals through cable or satellite.

It looks like viewers who depend on over-the-air television are still procrastinating. It’s estimated that 5 million households are totally unprepared and 2.3 million households still need the $40 coupons. Are you ready?

-dm

According to the Office of Management and Budget, the National Telecommunications & Information Administration now has access to funding to help unclog the DTV-to-analog converter box coupon program.

The bill that allowed for putting $650 million in new funds into the coupon program also will provide for re-application for coupons for people that had theirs expire. Clearing the backlog of stalled applications is expected to take several weeks. See the whole story here.

For more information on the coupon program, login to the official site.

Word is out today that a Senate bill on the DTV delay could be voted on next week. There’s an interesting twist, however. It would allow stations to cease analog transmission before the proposed June 12th deadline on a voluntary basis. Click here to see the whole story.

What do you think? Please leave your comments here.

If there’s one message driven home from phone calls we received during the last month or two, we are hearing a consistent theme: our older viewers are understandably confused at times with the technical aspects of the digital transition, most notably converter installation.

Let’s face it, it’s not an easy path to follow sometimes, especially when you add a VCR or DVD player to the mix. It can be confusing even for those of us in the business. Imagine trying to explain to someone over the phone how to hook it all up.

You can help. If you have older relatives, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, even neighbors, how about lending a hand? Ask them if they are ready. Help them with the hookup. Help them test their equipment. Reassure them that it will work after analog goes away.

Please do what you can to help.

-dm

Well, the second analog shutdown soft test came and went. How did you do?

We had a number of volunteers from WIVB and WNLO at the call center and, judging by the number of calls compared to December’s test, I think more Wester New Yorkers are prepared for the upcoming transition. We had roughly half the calls that we had in December and I think that’s a good sign.

It was a pleasure to talk to all the viewers who called and I hope we reassured them that it’s easy to prepare for the digital future of television.

What were your experiences? Please comment here.

-dm