TechnoBabble

Let me explain what the deal is and why we (and the other TV stations) can't.

With less than 10 months until the end of analog transmissions for full power TV stations, the FCC has decided (with some [well lots of] prodding from Congress) that not enough education has been provided to you, the public, on the transition to digital television; even though TV stations are donating over 1 billion (with a B) dollars in on air campaigns, different forms on the internet, talking to the public in person, etc, about the transition. Some one asked the other day why can't the FCC send out postcards like the IRS did a few weeks ago about the economic $600 rebate?  Well, that actually is a good idea, but it would cost $20 million more than what the FCC has in it's DTV marketing budget. And as everyone knows, if you want to get your message out, TV is the best way to do it anyway! Well of course, it is in our best financial interest to be sure you DO know of the transition. No TV station will deny that. We want to keep you as viewers. That is why we are in business. To make money. Like any other business you work for. I like getting paid to pay my morgage, my light bill and of course buy my TV's! Just makes sense all around.

So the FCC's answer for more education for you, the viewer, was the "Digital Television Consumer Education Order" in early March that TV stations must broadcast a minimum amount of information in the form of Public Service Announcements (PSA) as well as "crawls, snipes" (also called pop ups during programs), "and/or tickers" and they "must air between 6:00 am and 11:35 pm, Eastern... These requirements will expire for most broadcasters on March 31, 2009."

Most broadcasters had already started running what is called "DTV action spots" starting last September to get things kicked off. Those are those PSA's that talk about the transition and the website DTVAnswers.org and as time got closer to the transition, stations had other plans to have news stories and long form programming to be sure you, the viewers, understood what was happening so we don't lose you as a viewer. In the FCC order it states that as time goes on, you will see more and more things about the transition on air. Not just on FOX8 but any over the air TV station and cable has to also provide information as well with printouts to be included in your cable bill. One thing you will see is starting 100 days before February 17, stations will start a "countdown" until the end. I know of one local station has already started doing a countdown. I saw it the other night. As time goes on, with the schedule the FCC has put out, prime time will become the main avenue to viewers to be sure everyone knows what is happening. This means that you will see an increasing amount of PSA's as well as crawls and pop ups during programming to be sure you don't forget about the transition and when it happens.

So, as you see all of this on your screen, please remember the spirit that it is intended; to keep you, the viewing public, informed.