NAB Assists Viewers with Instructional Video in TV Markets Going Digital Feb. 17

February 17, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has released a new educational video to help viewers in markets where television stations are switching from analog to digital broadcasting on February 17.

Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines, some local television stations switching to digital television (DTV) on February 17 must broadcast DTV-related information over an analog signal for up to 60 days following the transition.

To help broadcasters meet the FCC's consumer education requirements, NAB has distributed to all full-power TV stations a video in English and Spanish that explains the basics behind the DTV transition and demonstrates how to hook up converter boxes, properly position antennas and scan for channels. It runs 8 ½ minutes in length and is open captioned to be accessible for people with disabilities. In many markets, the video will serve as the only programming in analog after TV stations begin broadcasting their regular programming exclusively in digital. The video can be viewed here.

The "DTV Delay" bill, which the president signed into law last week, extends the national transition deadline to June 12 but allows television stations to switch to digital in advance. There are 421 broadcast stations that will transition to digital on February 17.

NAB recently distributed a new television spot highlighting the June 12 date as part of its billion-dollar campaign to educate Americans about the DTV transition.