"he Federal Communications Commission will test the transition to digital television in North Carolina.
The FCC announced this week that it will have broadcasters shut off their analog signals Sept. 8, in Wilmington, N.C. to see what, if any, snares arise. Broadcasters will conduct the test five months before the nation switches to digital television on Feb. 17, 2009.
The National Association of Broadcasters applauded the decision, but raised several questions about the test.
"The FCC-initiated experiment in Wilmington can shed light on a number of issues surrounding the national DTV transition in February 2009," NAB VP of the Digital Television Transition Jonathan Collegio said in a statement. "The results must be objectively reviewed to determine how or whether the findings can be applied nationwide. NAB will be fully supportive of our local television broadcasters in this effort."
The NAB said its members look forward to gaining more information. That includes: how local, state, and federal governments will inform Wilmington-area residents of the experiment; whether the government will prioritize converter box requests from the test market area; how to minimize confusion that could arise from having two transition dates among nearby localities; how satellite operators will prepare; how the government will confirm that cable operators are prepared for the early shut-off; and whether the government will ensure that analog subscribers can still watch television."
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