Getting ahead of the digital transition deadline

I read an interesting story in Broadcasting and Cable about Las Vegas TV station KVBC's strategy to help their viewers get ahead of the digital transition that will occur in February of next year. To prepare their viewers for the transition, KVBC conducted a test by temporarily "pulling the plug" on their analog signal. From Broadcasting and Cable:

While the transition won't affect viewers who watch KVBC through cable, since the station already provides both analog and high-definition feeds via fiber to local operators, it will disrupt service for over-the-air viewers who don't buy a digital-to-analog converter box or a new digital set.

So during each of the station's seven daily newscasts on May 2, the station stopped feeding its normal programming into its studio-to-transmitter link and instead ran a brief clip of simulated static.

[...]

The simulated blackouts, which included footage of an actual cable being pulled, began with Friday's 5 a.m. newscast. KVBC anchors explained to viewers that those who could still see them after they "pulled the plug" have nothing to worry about come February 2009—those who got only white snow, however, need to act now to make their sets DTV-ready.

The story goes on to detail the result of KVBC's DTV test. I was surprised

to read that few viewers called the station after they pulled the plug.

The assignment desk was instructed to direct any complaining viewers to the same toll-free number and website listed in the graphic.

As of Friday morning, at least, no one seemed confused. At presstime, a newsroom staffer manning the phones told us she got exactly one call.

"It went really smooth!" exclaimed [KVBC General Manager Lisa] Howfield after the 6 a.m. newscast, which she said averages some 29,500 households a day. "I'm really excited."

I think KVBC's DTV test was a great way to take the next step beyond simply using public service announcements about the digital transition to inform their viewers. By "pulling the plug" KVBC demonstrated to their viewers whether or not they were ready for the digital transition.

EngadgetHD has reported that Wilmington, NC will be the official testbed for the digital transition. Starting on September 8th of this year, all four network affiliates will be "pulling the plug" permanently on their analog signal. The experience of television viewers in Wilmington will help debug issues that will be faced when the digital transition goes national on February 17, 2009.

While neither KVBC nor Wilmington, NC are in Insight's footprint, the premise of their tests are the same - viewers watching on cable can make the digital transition without any changes in service or equipment.

You can prepare your household for the transition too.  If you're an Insight customer, remember that you will have no problem continuing to receive everything you receive today on all your televisions that are connected to cable.  If you have additional TV's that receive their signals with an antenna, just give us a call.  We can hook those TV's up for a small installation fee and, depending on what services you choose, for as little as no monthly charges at all. 

Comments

[Scott]

Since I saw no feedback link.... It would be nice to also see your views on some charitable events and groups you and/or Insight Communications are actively involved in and believe in. As I am part of a group that regularly donates and raises money, would be refreshing to see someone at your level of a company enter that personal arena.

[Larry]

Michael ...
I need a simple anwer to the February 2009 digital conversion.

If someone is currently receiving analog cable service from Insight ... will they still receive the analog signal from Insight after February 2009.

In other words, if we have analog Classic Cable will we need a convertor box