Millions of Households at Risk June 12 -- DTV Converter Boxes

Released on: June 8, 2009, 5:18 am
Author: Nicholas Didow/ DTV Across America
Industry: Telecommunications

Southern Pines, NC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has repeatedly issued notices warning that millions of households are still unprepared for the June 12, 2009, national deadline for conversion of free over-the-air television broadcasting from analog format to digital format called “DTV”. While most households across the USA receive television programming by cable or satellite, an estimated 20 to 30 million households today still depend on over-the-air broadcasting to receive their television programming. The FCC has advised that for these households to continue to receive free over-the-air DTV television programming after June 12 they must purchase and install a digital-to-analog set-top converter box, yet DTV Across America predicts that for many households a DTV converter box will not be enough to avoid reception loss. Many households will also need to upgrade their television antenna, or subscribe to satellite or cable service, to accomplish the DTV transition. Unless these households can successfully navigate the DTV transition, their primary source of entertainment and information for public safety, public health, homeland security and civic engagement will literally go dark after June 12.

DTV Across America (www.DTVAcrossAmerica.com) is ready to receive the millions of possible inquiries about the DTV transition, especially on and after June 12. DTV Across America is a public/private partnership organized to serve as an “honest broker” for citizens nationwide who need information and assistance about options to ensure television signal reception following the June 12 DTV transition. Our purpose is to provide all citizens with both “high touch” and “high tech” solutions, comprehensive information about the DTV transition process and turnkey services and discounted installation and equipment prices for broadcast reception options.

Households that currently receive free over-the-air television broadcasting should to go now to the DTV Across America website www.DTVAcrossAmerica.com to determine their risk of reception loss after June 12 and to explore antenna, cable and satellite solutions, or call the DTV Across America toll-free consumer information number 1-800-359-1299 for various reception options.

Contact Details: Nicholas Didow, (919) 962-1432 nick_didow@unc.edu, DTV Across America, www.DTVAcrossAmerica.com, 340 Commerce Avenue, Suite 20, Southern Pines, NC 28387