More DTV ‘Soft’ Tests Coming From Ion, Other Broadcasters
Additional broadcasters will run “soft” analog signal cutoffs (CD May 12 p1) to alert viewers to the digital TV transition, industry executives said. Ion Media last week became the latest company to say it will run the tests, in which analog signals go off for a minute or less at announced times and simulated static or black appears on older TV sets not hooked up to cable, satellite or telco TV. The broadcaster asked other stations to follow suit, as has the NAB.
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The Orlando market is the first where almost all full- power stations briefly cut analog signals at the same time. The 10-second cutoff June 25 by 12 stations “was a very successful test,” said Jim Carter, general manager at Hearst- Argyle’s WESH Daytona Beach, which took part. “It even flushed out some cable systems” still getting analog broadcast signals needing them in digital to be able to redistribute them to subscribers after Feb. 17, he added. Cox systems in Gainesville and Ocala successfully took part in the test, said a spokesman for the cable operator’s parent company. So did Cox Enterprises’ WFTV Orlando, he said. A second test “a little longer in duration” is planned for September, he said. Industry executives expect events like these elsewhere.
Two Hearst-owned Arkansas TV stations turned off their analog signals Thursday in what the company called a first- of-its-kind test, with soft cut-offs during all of the day’s newscasts. KHBS Ft. Smith and KHOG-TV Fayetteville will repeat the trial on the 17th of each month, said Jim Prestwood, the broadcasters’ general manager. The stations’ chief engineer fielded phone calls from viewers who saw the test and wanted to hear about DTV, said Prestwood. “The majority of the folks who called were looking for more clarification and education.” There were “a plethora of questions,” he said, adding that the first trial went well. But other stations in the market haven’t told him they'll take part, he said.
Ion eventually will do soft cutoffs in all its markets, an executive told members of the DTV Transition Coalition last week, according to a government official familiar with the plan. In a letter to “colleagues,” Ion executives Joseph Koker and John Lawson said the company “will lead the way [in] encouraging our broadcast colleagues to join us, asking for input and suggestions in shaping our test initiatives.” The broadcaster will start soft shut-offs in several markets and share the results within the industry and with cable and satellite companies, the FCC, NTIA and others, the letter said. It said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein kicked off the latest round of tests. During tests, broadcasters will display a countdown clock and explain to viewers that their screens may go dark, as analog over-the-air viewers’ screens actually will at the time, it said. “Digital feeds will be provided to cable and DBS head ends, and over-the-air digital broadcasting will not be interrupted.” A spokeswoman for the owner of 59 full-power TV stations said she couldn’t elaborate.
The NAB will seek station tests in 20 markets, a spokesman said, declining to identify them. “In the best of all worlds we would be able to have participation among all stations at the same time of the day” in each market, he added. “Members of NAB’s board have expressed strong interest in pursuing analog test shut offs as a strategy to educating consumers about the DTV transition and specifically whether their television set will remain connected.” WABC-TV New York and other stations in that market are talking about a “coordinated” test, anchor Bill Ritter told a Friday hearing on DTV. When that occurs, he said, broadcasters will flash a message along these lines: “If you can see this image, it means that you have an analog television set and you will need a digital converter box by Feb. 17, 2009, to continue watching television.” Tests elsewhere display similar messages.
Not all NAB members plan tests. Gray TV President Bob Prather said none of the company’s stations are doing soft cutoffs, although he sees merit in the idea, he said: “We'll definitely look into it.” No Cox stations other than its Orlando property currently plan soft cutoffs, said a spokesman. Most of Belo’s 20 stations have done tests or will do them within months, said a spokesman. Decisions to test are made by market, he said.
Gannett, Media General and Tribune officials declined comment right away on their plans. But if calls from executives at other stations to WESH’s Carter are any indication, more stations briefly may kill analog signals. “You're going to be seeing more and more of these tests occurring around the country,” said Carter. “This is kind of where the rubber is hitting the road.”