Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 49: The Digital TV Switchover

By WESM News

PRINCESS ANNE, MD –

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Show Information:

Show Number: 49
Subject(s): The Digital TV Switchover
Guest(s):
- Shermaze Ingram - Senior Director, Media Relations, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
Original Airdate: Saturday, June 7, 2008
Running Time: 29 minutes 30 seconds

Brief Synopsis:

February 17, 2009 is a date you might want to keep in mind, if you enjoy watching television, because that's the deadline that Congress has set for most TV stations across America to switch from traditional analog transmissions - the type that most people have grown-up with - in favor of the newer digital form of broadcasting.

Digital TV promises better picture, sound and viewing options, but you need a certain type of receiver to view it. That means that if you don't subscribe to cable OR satellite service - or have a digital tuner built-in to your TV set - you won't be able to receive any local TV stations, unless you get what's called a digital converter box.

However, the good news is that you won't have to pay much to get one, because the government is providing coupons towards the purchase of these digital converter boxes.

In this edition of Eastern Shore Focus, we'll talk about this subject with Shermaze Ingram, the Senior Director of Media Relations for the Digital TV Transition, at the National Association of Broadcasters. She'll help to explain what you need to do to prepare for the looming Digital TV Switchover.

Additional Links & Information:

DTV Answers - What you need to know about the switch to Digital Television:
http://www.dtvanswers.com/

TV Converter Box Coupon Website:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/

The Digital TV Transition (FCC-site):
http://www.dtv.gov/

Digital TV Transition:
http://www.dtvtransition.org/

National Association of Broadcasters:
http://www.nab.org/

Questions or Comments?

E-mail us: wesm913@umes.edu
Or call 410-651-8001