Chicago Area TV Broadcasters to Participate in Second DTV 'Soft Tests' on December 17

Chicago Area TV Broadcasters to Participate in Second DTV 'Soft Tests' on December 17

Test Further Prepares Chicago Market Television Audience in Testing Readiness for Transition to Digital Television Taking Place in February 2009

Test includes nearly all Chicago Television Stations

CARTERVILLE, Ill., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- At the encouragement of the FCC, and to further help viewers prepare for the federally mandated shutdown of television analog signals on February 17, 2009, nearly all of the over-the-air/full-power broadcast television stations in the Chicago Area, in conjunction with the Illinois Broadcasters Association, will again participate in a scheduled soft-shutdown of their analog signal. The test, the second in as many months, will occur at various times on various stations during the hours of 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. The tests will last five minutes each. The test will alert television audiences who receive the analog signals that their television sets are not ready for the DTV transition with a full screen graphic and will then give them resources that will inform them of the steps they must take. Stations will place a "crawling" message on the digital broadcast indicating that this television set is ready for digital but to be sure and check other sets in the home for digital readiness.

As the test begins, viewers will hear three beeps as a graphic appears on their screen informing the viewer if their television is "not ready" for the digital transition. The graphic will direct the viewer to call a DTV help line at 1-877-DTV-5353. Chicago 311 Call Center has also been engaged to answer questions viewers may pose on the evening of the test. Many stations have their own DTV education efforts underway.

While recent reports indicate that the nation's TV viewing public is fully aware of the approaching February 17 transition from analog to digital, it's feared that many have yet to take any of the actions needed in order to continue viewing over-the-air television after the conversion. The Chicago market has approximately 300,000 households that receive their TV exclusively over-the-air according to Nielsen's latest estimates.

The November 12 test resulted in over 13,000 calls from viewers confirming concerns that there remains a great deal of work to be done in educating the public about the upcoming conversion. As a result, the Chicago Area television stations continue to participate in a cohesive DTV education plan that utilizes the resources of all of the stations in the broadcast area.

"ABC7's President and General Manager Emily Barr said it best leading into our first test last month when stating 'Our collective mantra is to leave no viewer behind'," remarked Dennis Lyle, President and CEO of the Illinois Broadcasters Association. "It's important that Chicagoland viewers understand that if indeed these 'soft tests' reveal their (TV) sets are not yet ready for the February 17, 2009 transition to digital, avoiding taking any of the necessary steps to correct the problem guarantees them that they will experience interruption in their over-the-air TV reception when they wake up on the morning of February 18."

Viewers who rely on antenna TVs and who do not have a pay service or a digital television must act in order to continue to receive free television after February 17, 2009. The FCC urges anyone who thinks they are affected to get your converter box today to enjoy the benefits of digital television now.

The DTV transition will enable consumers to receive a clearer picture, better sound and receive multiple channels from their local over-the-air broadcasters. The shutdown of the analog signal will allow for greater capacity on the airwaves for law enforcement and other emergency service providers signals and to use the wireless spectrum in a more efficient way.

Yet another test is being planned in January.

DTV 101: Consumers who receive their television over the air -- with an antenna on their roof or a "rabbit ears" set-up must take one of three steps in order to continue to receive a signal after February 17, 2009:

1. Purchase a digital converter box. (A coupon is available from the
government to offset the cost)
2. Buy a new digital-ready television.
3. Upgrade service to cable or satellite. (Cable and satellite systems
will handle the transition for their customers.)

Stations expected to participate in the December 17 test:

WBBM (CBS 2)
WCIU
WCPX
WFLD (Fox)
WGBO (Univision)
WGN
WLS (ABC 7)
WMAQ (NBC 5)
WPWR (My 50)
WSNS (Telemundo)
WTTW
WXFT
WYCC

Source: Illinois Broadcasters Association

CONTACT: Dennis Lyle of Illinois Broadcasters Association,
+1-618-985-5555, Dlyleiba@aol.com

Web site: http://www.ilba.org/

-------
Profile: intent