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DTV Countdown - Report 31

Reported by: Pat Greenwood
Email: pgreenwood@local15tv.com
Contributor: Pat Greenwood
Last Update: 9/29/2008 7:26 pm
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(Mobile, Ala.) September 29 -- Perhaps you've seen the public service announcements saying something is going to happen to your TV soon..

They warn that if you're watching us and if you have a roof antenna or rabbit ears -- soon you won't be able to see us on that TV set.

How's that going to work?

Wilmington, North Carolina gave us a preview.

Wilmington counted down to the big switch: even though the change does not affect new sets, or those on cable or satellite systems

Some worried about viewers, especially low income seniors, who use rabbit ears, which do not receive digital.

"These folks rely on TV as their connection to the community," says seniors advocate Jane Jones.

For months, to help Wilmington, the FCC blanketed the area with information about the changeover:

Nationwide broadcasters say they've mounted a $1 billion "get ready for digital" campaign. Every TV that's hooked up to cable should be just fine...

To prepare the rest of the country, some argue the government will have to spend millions on publicity.

"We are not spending as much money as we need to spend to make sure that all Americans know," states civil rights advocate Mark Lloyd.

When the switch was thrown -- this is what greeted viewers who had not converted. like realtor Tamara Mercer.

"I should've gotten the thing that makes the TV work, but ... I'm busy,: laughs Mercer.

The results?  So far, so good.  Of the 797 calls received from residents, only 23 were unfamiliar with the transition.

Remember, our transition take place February 17th of 2009.




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