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Bridging The DTV Divide:
Making Access A Priority For The New Era
By law, on February 17, 2009, the nation will officially transition into a
new era of television broadcasting that will include sharper image quality,
better sound quality, and more efficient use of spectrum. By switching from
analog to digital broadcasting, television stations can provide more free over
the air programming and even multicasting, rather than just one channel at a
time.
But too many Americans are unaware or are misinformed about the changeover.
TV sets that are not connected to cable or satellite, or do not have a built-in
digital tuner, will need a converter box to continue receiving and displaying
broadcast television after the transition occurs. As a result, roughly 21
million American households, including vulnerable populations such as low-income
families, minorities, seniors, and persons with disabilities may see their TV
sets go dark. Undoubtedly, this will affect their ability to access news
information, and emergency warnings.
Preparing for the DTV transition:
• Purchase a DTV converter box: Soon consumers may purchase a DTV converter
box that enables continued broadcast television reception on an analog TV set.
The federal government is also currently offering consumers $40 coupons to go
toward the purchase of these boxes.
• Purchase a digital TV set: Purchase a new television set with a built-in
digital tuner. All TVs with a digital tuner are able to receive digital signals
broadcast by television stations.
• Subscribe to a video service provider: Subscribe to cable, satellite or a
telephone company video service provider to continue using analog TV sets.
DTV and the Digital Divide by the Numbers:
• Forty-eight percent of households that rely solely on over-the-air
television have incomes under $30,000.
• Non-white and Hispanic households are more likely to rely on over-the-air
television than are white and non-Hispanic households.
• Eight million of the 21 million over-the-air households include at least one
person over 50 years of age, while an estimated one-third or more of
over-the-air television viewers have disabilities.
The transition to digital TV could exacerbate an already existing digital divide
if the millions of households that rely on over-the-air TV lose their service
because they don't know about the switch or the coupon program, or are unable to
get coupon
Click or call for coupons:
www.dtv2009.gov
1-888-388-2009
1-888-DTV-2009
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