Providers for all broadcast television in the area will be turning off the switch in a few weeks, albeit just for a few minutes.
The goal is to get any remaining people who use an antenna to tune into free broadcast stations to purchase a converter box in advance of the nation’s switch to a digital signal. The change will take place Feb. 17, at which point no antenna will work without a DTV converter.
Included in the test — which will not interrupt service for cable, Verizon FiOS or satellite customers — are the following stations and providers: WGRZ, WIVB, WKBW, WNED, WNGS, WNLO, WNYB, WNYO, WPXJ, WUTV, Time Warner Cable, DIRECTV, Dish Network, Atlantic Broadband Cable, and Verizon.
All of these stations will go dark from 6:28 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and Jan. 15. According to WKBW-TV President and General Manager Bill Ransom, who is acting as chairman of the group of broadcasters involved in the operation, these “soft tests” will hopefully draw the attention of those who have not yet purchased the converter box, despite months of commercials and screen crawlers from providers advising viewers of the necessity to do so.
“The goal is to make sure that everyone in our (market) will be able to receive digital signals,” Ransom said.
Nielsen, the television monitoring company, reports that 10 percent of the analog televisions in the Buffalo market still do not have the necessary converter box.
Viewers affected by the shut-off will receive information on how to get a converter box and operators at a call center will be available to answer specific questions people have. That number is 1-888-DTV-2009. More information can also be found online at www.dtvanswers.com.
Local News
November 28, 2008
BROADCASTING: TV providers to shut off analog signal
- Local News
-
- New program hopes to speed wait-times at Erie DMVs Clerk to implement "rain check" system for users who lacked all required documents on previous visit
-
Hochul returns from Afghanistan tour
Congresswoman touts contributions of female military members, Afghan civilians
-
Buffalo Suzuki Strings ensemble hitting the national stage
NT music school traveling to Minneapolis to perform at conference
-
Ghoulish convention planned at Central Terminal
Tonawanda native and Kenmore zombie lover behind event that caters to horror fans of all stripes
- NY pension fund grows
-
NT weather watcher hasn't missed a day in 30 years
Jack Kanack honored by National Weather Service for committment to documenting Mother Nature
-
NT remembers a hometown hero
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski, killed in Afghanistan in 2010, is the first in a new program highlighting Lumber City servicemembers past and present.
- NCIDA lowers AES tax deal
- Town zoning code amended in Wheatfield
- Second falls jumper reported
- More Local News Headlines
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
