Many area stations begin digital transition
2/16/2009 11:59 PM
Staff writer
Some TV sets in Aiken are blank today, while others are displaying normal programming.
Every Augusta station, with the exception of FOX WFXG, transitioned to a digital signal on or before midnight today. Viewers of WAGT Augusta, WJBF News Channel 6 and WRDW News 12 who don't see regularly scheduled programming most likely have TVs that still receive reception from an antenna on top of the set or roof.
Augusta's TV stations joined hundreds of other stations across the country that chose to go ahead with the Feb. 17 transition date despite the federal government's approval of a delay until June 12.
WIS TV of Columbia has chosen to wait until June.
The delay was given the OK after the federal program supplying consumers with $40 coupons for converter boxes ran out of money. Four million people are on the list of those waiting for coupons when additional funds become available. Congress also cited surveys that reported millions of Americans were not ready for the switch.
The Nielsen Company recently reported that 5.8 million households are still not ready. Consumers who still rely on a TV with an antenna should either purchase a converter box, subscribe to a cable or satellite service or buy a new TV with a digital tuner.
However, buying a converter box in Aiken might be easier said than done.
A Sears representative at the Aiken Mall said converter boxes were in stock at $59.99 and are available in-store only. The Wal-Mart stores in Aiken and North Augusta and Target said they were sold out.
Those who already subscribe to a cable service like Atlantic Broadband should be fine.
"We want to assure our customers that Atlantic Broadband made all our preparations for the transition months ago, and no one with cable-connected TV sets will be caught by surprise," said Sam McGill, Atlantic Broadband vice president and general manager. "Our customers will continue to enjoy their local broadcast stations with no disruptions."
While it is officially going ahead with the switch, WAGT is acting as a "night light station" until March 3. Regular programming has discontinued on its analog channel 26 but, for the next two weeks, the station will broadcast transition emergency information only.
For more information on the transition, visit www.dtv.gov or call (888) 225-5322.
Converter boxes available online
- Best Buy www.bestbuy.com Prices: $49.99 to $59.99
- Wal-Mart www.walmart.com Price: $49.87
- Target www.target.com Price: $45
Where does the analog signal go?
"Basically, it goes back to the government," McGill said. "Essentially, the government leased that analog spectrum and they're taking it back."
According to www.dtv.gov, all-digital broadcasting will free up the broadcast spectrum for public safety communications such as police, fire departments and rescue squads.
Also, some of the analog spectrum was auctioned off by the Federal Communications Commission to bidders like wireless communications companies such as Verizon Wireless. The auction lasted 38 days with 101 bidders winning 1,090 broadcast licenses. Gross bids totaled over $19 billion.
