Boston Sets DTV Readiness Tests, Educational Campaign
Broadcasters Will Gather For Trial Runs
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 12/2/2008 3:30:00 PM
Broadcasters and cable television providers will team up for a day-long digital transition informational effort and market test in Boston on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
The effort is in conjunction with Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), the chairman of the Telecommunications and the Internet subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association.
In addition to all the market’s network and independent broadcasters, Beld Broadband, Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Corp., Duncan Cable, metroCast, RCN, Southern Vermont Cable, TDS Cable, Time Warner Cable and Verizon Communications Inc. will support the effort.
For the day, the market's main PBS affiliate, WGBH-TV, will offer uninterrupted DTV information. Intermittent crawls on all the other channels will direct viewers to that PBS station for information. Then, three readiness tests will be run at 5:15 and 6:15 a.m. and at 5:15 p.m. Viewers who are still viewing in analog will see a warning at that time advising them they need to take further action in order to continue accessing broadcast stations after Feb. 17, 2009.
"In order to ensure a smooth transition, I have been conducting extensive oversight of federal DTV transition efforts, and now I am pleased to join with the leadership of Boston's television media to better inform our local community through this unique 'DTV Day'," said Markey in a prepared statement.
WGBH will continuously run a 30-minute program, Get Ready for Digital TV, featuring hosts Norm Abram and Kevin O'Connor of This Old House. They visit Boston-area homes, giving hands-on guidance for checking TV sets for readiness. The show will be in English and in Spanish. Homes that are prepared for the digital transition, such as cable customers, will see WGBH's regular programming lineup.
