Digital TV Conversion Draws Closer
In less than 12 months noncable customers across the country could be watching nothing but snowy static on their television sets.
A count by The Bronx Beat shows that 150,000 homes in the Bronx could lose access to basic television programming, which generally covers Channels 1 through 13 and includes the major broadcast networks, ABC, CBS and NBC. Those households represent 418,500 Bronx residents who will lose television access if they do not purchase a converter box for digital network service, sign up for cable service or buy a new television.
Since its mass production began in the late 1940s television has always been based on a free access system as long as the customer purchased the television set. On Feb. 17, 2009, however, a Federal Communications Commission, FCC, mandate requires a change to digital broadcasting from the long-used analog technology. This will open up the air waves for use by emergency responders and create greater access to wireless Internet service. With the changeover, most people who do not currently subscribe to a cable service will be left without television until they purchase a converter box or a new television.
“The people that are affected by this are only getting broadcast channels with older television sets,” said Michael Knobbe, the executive director of Bronx Net, a cable channel in the Bronx. “Anyone with cable service doesn’t have to worry about it. Broadcast is changing, not cablecast.”
To subsidize the cost of the converter, the FCC has created a coupon program. Each coupon is worth $40, and there is a limit of two per household. The cost of a converter can range from $40 to $70. The coupons can be found online at www.dtv2009.gov, a Web site set up by the FCC with all information pertaining to the conversion.
To date, there is no data available for how many households in the Bronx have Internet access so it is unclear how they will learn about this option. To receive a coupon, people may also call 1-888-DTV-2009 and request a form.
Although more than 400,000 Bronx residents are directly affected by the conversion, spokeswoman Lisbeth Perez Almeida at Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr.’s office said that they do not have plans to do anything because there have been no complaints. Community Board 1, representing Mott Haven, Port Morris and Melrose, said the same thing. Read more..
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