IPTV Deployments Featured Article

CEA Welcomes Television Market Migration in Wilmington, NC

By Nathesh, TMCnet Contributing Editor

An announcement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC (News - Alert)) stated that the television market will consist of only digital televisions in Wilmington, North Carolina, five months prior to the nation’s deadline on February 17, 2009. The FCC concluded that on September 8, 2008, full-power commercial television broadcasters in Wilmington, North Carolina will have completed all the necessary steps to finalize their transition to digital.

 

Beginning at 12:00 pm on September 8, 2008, the local stations, WWAY (ABC), WSFX-TV (FOX), WECT (NBC), WILM-LP (CBS), and W51CW (Trinity Broadcasting) will broadcast only digital signals to their viewers in the five North Carolina counties that comprise this television market.  

 

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which has been educating consumers, retailers, manufacturers and legislators for over a decade about the transition to digital television, has appreciated this proposed transition.

 

The CEA is the trade association promoting growth in the $161 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships.

 

"The digital television transition is on time and on track, and the FCC's conclusion that the nation's 135th television market in Wilmington is ready to transition early proves this," said Jason Oxman, senior vice president, industry affairs, CEA. "There are many easy and affordable digital TV options for any pocketbook - from low-cost digital TV sets to very affordable converter boxes. CEA, together with its industry and government partners, is committed to getting the word out about these options to consumers in Wilmington and nationwide.”

 

The CEA promotes its insistence on digital television through websites, printed collateral and media outreach. CEA currently operates websites that provide information about the DTV transition - DigitalTips.org and AntennaWeb.org (in partnership with NAB) and has launched the “Convert Your Mom” public education campaign featuring Florence Henderson.

 

CEA produced a "DTV 101" video for consumers that explains the transition and provides technical information on digital television and converter boxes, and CEA has worked with retailers, broadcasters and other stakeholders to distribute the video widely to consumers. CEA is also a founding member of the DTV Transition Coalition (DTVtransition.org), which works to ensure educational materials reach a broad audience.

 

FCC on its part has been coordinating with local officials and community groups to accelerate and broaden consumer education outreach efforts.

 

Wilmington is seen as one of a limited number of potential test markets to test the transition because all the commercial stations in the market have already completed construction of their DTV channels and are operating at full post-transition power.   

 

Nathesh is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Nathesh’s articles, please visit his columnist page.