NAB Coordinates National Digital TV Readiness Test on May 21
May 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC — In coordination with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), every broadcast television network and many television stations nationwide will conduct multiple tests tomorrow to help viewers determine if they are ready for the rapidly approaching June 12 switch to digital television (DTV).
During each test, participating stations will temporarily broadcast over their analog signals an informational message that is only viewable to consumers whose TV sets still need to be upgraded to digital. Stations may choose to air either a slate of text or a brief video explaining the transition and directing viewers to call the national DTV hotline, 1-888-CALL-FCC, for further assistance. Only stations that have yet to go all-digital are expected to participate. To find out which local broadcasters are participating in the test, please visit the FCC's Web site at www.dtv.gov/media_toolkit.html.
The duration and timing of the tests may vary by individual station or within a given market. In general, each test will range from two to five minutes in length, and stations will conduct up to three tests throughout the day during these time periods (all local time):
7:25 - 7:30 a.m.
12:25 - 12:30 p.m.
6:25 - 6:30 p.m.
"With the transition deadline just three weeks away, this national consumer readiness test seeks to create a sense of urgency for viewers that time is running out," said Jonathan Collegio, NAB vice president for the DTV transition. "America's broadcasters have already conducted more than 400 such tests to date, which have successfully prompted viewers to prepare their TV sets for the transition."
Approximately 950 stations have yet to complete their transition to digital broadcasting. All full-power stations are required by law to broadcast exclusively in digital after June 12, 2009. Over-the-air television households risk losing reception after that date unless they upgrade their TV sets to DTV.
