Thirteen million households unprepared for DTV transition, Nielsen says

[Wilms]

Thirteen million households unprepared for DTV transition, Nielsen says

Feb 19, 2008

More than 13 million analog-only TV households today are unprepared for the DTV transition, and another 6 million households have at least one set that won’t work after analog transmission is shut off in February 2009, according to The Nielsen Company.

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Nielsen found that adults older than 55 are better prepared than younger households. The research organization also found that whites and Asians are more ready than blacks. Additionally, it found that more Hispanic households still rely on analog, over-the-air broadcast television than non-Hispanics.

snip

Nielsen found:

* 10.1 percent of all households would have no access to TV signals if the transition occurred today;

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http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/thirteen_million_households_unprepared_0219

[mvccd1000]

1. Not a big deal, IMO.

I would bet that a lot of people are holding off as long as possible; if they've done any research at all, they know that they're going to get a bigger, nicer TV for less money in January of next year than they are in February of this year.

If upgrading TVs to receive digital is the only reason someone is upgrading, they'd be stupid to do it this early.

(On the other hand, some percentage of those households either can't afford a new TV or haven't paid attention and don't know or care about DTV.)

[ben_meyers]

2. I hardly think that all 13 million of those people

are going to just sit there when the TV goes blank and do nothing. Reminds me of the y2k crap.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

3. We're not DTV ready here at the house, but I'm not too worried about it...

...I have it from reliable sources that most of the FEMA camps will have it in the TV/Rec rooms.

[MercutioATC]

4. They'll have to buy a $50 analog converter....Oh! The HORROR!

10.1% would have no access today.

Best Buy and Circuit City would have a very busy day tomorrow.

3 households in the U.S. wouldn't have access tomorrow.

[nebenaube]

5. how gives a shit? TV is dead....

500 Channels and still nothing to watch. They charge you then pump in the commercials... All the networks lie... Who cares?

[Kitty Herder]

7. Ain't that the truth. TV is a vast wasteland.

[dysfunctional press]

16. that's a rather ironic statement for someone with a utah avatar.

just sayin...

[Kitty Herder]

21. LOL You've got a point there.

And I live in one of the emptiest wastelands of Utah, too.

[ben_meyers]

19. Newton Minnow. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

15. i can find PLENTY to watch- and i only have half that many channels...

what system are you on that has 500? or does that number include all the various local sports and pay-per-view channels? do you have cable or satellite reception?

[gate of the sun]

6. I really don't get this

i have no cable or satellite whatso ever............I don't believe I have to change anything...doesn't anyone think it is strange that suddenly everyone has to change their TV this is related to cable or something right? It makes me think of Twin Palms the series... oh well I hope that the air waves are clearer when everyone buys a new tv.(sarcasm)

[mvccd1000]

8. Actually, they will be. :)

Digital transmissions use far less bandwidth than analog transmissions, so the airwaves WILL be clearer for a time.... until they sell off the old analog frequencies and fill them with something else.

[northzax]

22. ahh, but there is a catch

those stations you only sort of get? Those will be gone. Digital tv is all or nothing. No dealing with poor reception, even if you want to. I bought a digital antenna and went from nine broadcast stations in dc to four.

[kevinbgoode]

12. Sign up for those coupons. . .you get a digital converter

and attach it to the television and/antenna...and you get more channels and much clearer reception.

[jannyk]

9. I'm too busy worrying about the 50million that don't have health insurance nt

I can't get very upset about people losing the boob tube - maybe they'll pick up reading instead.

[aquart]

10. What superior contempt.

Looking down at us from a great height, are you?

[jannyk]

17. Yeah I guess - if not having a boob tube makes one superior. nt

[Delphinus]

11. Both my local TV stations

had "in-depth" coverage of this on Monday. I quasi-listened and the only thing I could think of is - "Who cares? With the crap you spew out on there anyway, what's worth watching?"

[alarimer]

13. I have cable; I don't need a fancy TV.

I will probably need a new cable box, but I am sure they have one that converts digital back to analog. People are making too big a deal out of this, in order to sell expensive TVs. If you have cable (with a box) you do not need a new TV. Go ahead, though, and fall for the consumerist bullshit and spend more money you do not have that you could spend on food or something important.

Better yet, why not just tell the government and entertainment companies they can go fuck themselves and we aren't falling for their crap anymore.

Television will still be crap; it will just look better. Wake up people! Your government is shredding your constitution but you will be able to watch American Idol in HD!

[ThomWV]

14. My god, how will they survive? No TV? God dam, that's harsh.

[MissB]

18. We'd be one of those 13 mil.

I don't particularly care at this point. TV isn't such a big thing in my life that I feel compelled to go out - this moment - and get the equipment needed in 2009.

I simply don't give a fuck.

[Hayduke Lives]

20. What gets me

...is the government is handin' out $40 gift cards to help the great unwashed purchase digital converter units.

WTF? When is the last time the government passed out free coupons for the purchase of consumer electronics? The must REALLY want us to watch teevee.

I got rid of my TV back in 1987. Does anyone know if I can use my government coupon to buy something else, like a new deer fence for my garden or a bottle of scotch or something?