Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Millions Still Unprepared for DTV Switch

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2009 11:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Millions of Americans, particularly in urban and rural areas, will see their televisions go black when broadcasters switch to digital transmission next week, the New York Times reports. A Nielsen survey indicates that more than 10% of the 114 million homes with sets are partially or completely unprepared for the switch. And this time, unlike in February, there’s no second chance. “I want to be clear,” the president said. “There will not be another delay.”

The government has poured in another $650 million to publicize the issue and help people buy converter boxes since the February delay, bringing total DTV spending over $2 billion. But no dice. “There are so many people who are always waiting until the last minute,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “Earlier on we could have more crisply and clearly indicated who was affected by the switch.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Television converter boxes on sale. (AP Photo)

A television set equipped with a traditional "rabbit ears" antenna. (AP Photo)

An official connects a digital converter to a television at the Federal Communications Commission office in Honolulu. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Too many people don’t know the difference between digital and analog. I didn’t even know myself until a few months ago when my brother-in-law explained it to me. - Gary Locke, Commerce secretary

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Your TV, Radio Will Be Interrupted Tomorrow

Emergency Alert System gets first national test at 2pm Eastern

(NEWSER) - Turn on the tube or radio tomorrow at 2pm Eastern time, and you’ll be witness to the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. It's expected to last about 30 seconds. Though the system has been used locally for concerns like weather alerts, this is the first time it will be tested at the national level, ABC News reports. More»

96.7% of Homes Have TVs, 1st Drop in 20 Years

Rocky economy, online TV to blame: Nielsen

(NEWSER) - The rocky economy and an upswing in Internet viewing contribute to a surprising new statistic: In America, 96.7% of households have a television set—down from 98.9% previously. It's the first such drop in two decades, the New York Times notes. The Nielsen Company, which collected the data, notes that some low-income households likely cannot afford new digital sets or antennas. In addition, some young people are opting not to purchase a TV when they move out on their own, instead watching shows and movies on the Internet. More»

Fox News, CNN, MSNBC Shed 13.7% of Viewers

Every cable news channel sees drop-off for first time in 12 years

(NEWSER) - CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News all lost viewers last year for the first time in at least 12 years, a study finds. A Pew journalism group found a combined 13.7% drop in viewership, the largest decline of any news sector, and all three networks fell for the first time since the group began keeping track. Broadcast news, meanwhile, continued its decline with a 3.4% drop in 2010, the Hollywood Reporter notes. More»

Bad Reviews Delay Latest Google TV Debut

Search giant must improve inter-company relations: analysts

(NEWSER) - Google has delayed the grand unveiling of its new TV software, after a spate of less-than-stellar early reviews. Toshiba, LG Electronics, and Sharp were all planning to debut their versions of Google TV at the Consumer Electronics Show next month, but Google surprised them by asking them to hold off while it tinkers with the software, the New York Times reports. Samsung will now likely be the only company showing off a Google set at the show. More»

Apple, Amazon Joining Battle for Your TV

Apple to announce revamped version of Apple TV with Netflix

(NEWSER) - Amazon and Apple are both planning major pushes into the online TV business, insiders say. Apple will announce today a new set-top box that will deliver TV to consumers and include movies from Netflix, reports Bloomberg . Apple will offer 99-cent rentals of TV shows through its revamped, $99 version of AppleTV, the sources say. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website