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Federal Communications Commission May 8, 2008 DTV Transition Premiers
in Wilmington, North Carolina Washington, DC – Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin today announced Wilmington, North Carolina, will be
the first market to test the transition to digital television (DTV) in advance
of the nationwide transition to DTV on February 17, 2009. The commercial broadcasters
serving the Wilmington television market have voluntarily agreed to turn off
their analog signals at noon on September 8, 2008. Beginning at 12:00 pm on September 8, 2008,
these 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. Representatives
of each local affiliate, Donna Barrett, President and CEO of Southeastern Media
Holdings, Inc. (WSFX (FOX)), Andy Combs, Station Manager of WWAY (ABC), Jim
Goodmon, President and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting (WILM-LP (CBS)), Paul
McTear, President and CEO of Raycom Media Inc. (WECT (NBC)), and Colby May,
Esq. on behalf of Trinity Broadcasting (W51CW) made the announcement along with
the Mayor of Wilmington, Bill Saffo, and
the President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Connie
Majure-Rhett. The DTV transition for the whole country will take place on February 17,
2009, when all full power television stations must turn off their analog
signals and broadcast only digital signals. This test market will be an early
transition that will give broadcasters and consumers a chance to experience in
advance the upcoming DTV transition. The Commission is coordinating with local
officials and community groups to accelerate and broaden consumer education
outreach efforts. The outreach will
focus on the special transition date for Wilmington and the steps viewers may
need to take to be ready by September. In making the announcement, the
Chairman said: "On March 3, 2008, my colleague, Commissioner Michael
Copps, suggested that the Commission engage in real-world experience readying
broadcasters and consumers in advance of the upcoming digital transition,
including test markets that would switch to all-digital service before February
17, 2009. I commend the Wilmington
broadcasters for their pioneer spirit to go first to help the entire country prepare
for the final transition to digital on February 17, 2009. This experience will help us to spot issues
that we need to address elsewhere in the country before next February.” The Commission identified Wilmington
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. The Wilmington PBS station, WUNJ, will continue broadcasting in both
analog and digital. One other low power
station has its digital channel assignment, but will continue broadcasting an
analog signal. The Commission will use
the test market as an opportunity to work very closely in advance with
broadcasters, viewers, cable companies and others who will be affected to
anticipate and address any problems. The Commission is also coordinating with
NTIA and local retailers to be sure that digital-to-analog converter boxes are
readily available in local stores for consumers who rely on over-the-air service
and have analog televisions. News about the
Federal Communications Commission can also be found Wilmington HDTV |