Posted on 02/16/2008 12:10:24 AM PST by Islander7
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hispanics are nearly twice as likely as whites to be left without television service following the nationwide transition to digital broadcasting next year, according to a new survey.
Beginning in February 2009, full-power broadcast stations will transmit digital-only signals, meaning people who get their television programming over an antenna and do not have a digital set won't get a picture without a special converter box.
The Nielsen Co. survey released Friday estimates that more than 13 million households in the U.S. receive television programming over the air on non-digital sets, meaning they will need converter boxes. Another 6 million households contain at least one television that fits that description.
Nielsen researchers found that 10.1 percent of all households would have no access to television signals if the transition occurred today. Broken down by race, 8.8 percent of whites would be unready; 11.7 percent of Asians; 12.4 percent of blacks; and 17.3 percent of Hispanics.
By age, of those 35 and younger, 12.3 percent rely solely on over-the-air broadcasts. Of those age 55 and older, 9.4 percent fall into that category.
The survey noted that 16.8 percent of all households have at least one analog television set that would not work after the switch.
The Nielsen survey was done as part of its overall television rankings forecast. The data was gathered by Nielsen staff who visited a national sample of roughly 15,000 homes. The survey took about 18 months to complete, according to the company.
By market, New York is considered the most ready for the transition. Only 3.5 percent of television sets are non-digital and get programming over the air. Portland, Ore., is at the other end of the list, with 22.4 percent of television sets in that category.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
In fairness, the government is what is causing (forcing) the change.
This seems a perfect campaign platform for barry hussein. Hell, he plans to give away every penny he taxes from the rich to anyone who “hopes for change”....
Where’s the barf alert?
.. Hispanics and other victims of America, I suppose.
Well.. all I can say is: FINALLY! The victims of America win one!
What I really hate living here in Alaska is trying to watch NASCAR racing on our local channels, the stations are still using 70’s technology and in the infinite wisdom of consumer advertising it was decreed that we MUST watch local stations through the Dishnetwork instead of a higher quality image from the lower 48.
But of course I record eveything on the PVR and skip all the commercials anyway but it irks me that I had to get only local, if I was 20 miles further from Anchorage then I could get a waiver.
I am looking ahead with enthusiasm when the stations by law have to upgrade to digital.
Digital TV Shift Affects Minorities Most....
next the lib/dems will want to raise taxes to give the illegals digital TV!!!!
This will happen right after the new president is sworn in. The media will blame it on the government, (Bush). The media will do everything in their power to confuse people so that there is mass anxiety.
I sounds like the world will be about to end and nothing will change.
The government ,by fiat, is rendering a couple of hundred million appliances useless.
What would you say if the government decided current roads are too wide ,and restriped all roads with four foot width lanes, and decreed all existing vehicles be junked without compensation ?
What about the women and chillruns?
LLS
It’s a discount coupon good towards the purchase of the converter box. It isn’t a check or a rebate. It also has an expiration date, and the supply is limited.
There is no “transfer of wealth”.
Don’t think this wasn’t timed to become a campaign issue.
What sucks also is my $25 runs-on-C-batteries TV will be rendered useless. If the power is out for 4 days because of an ice storm it does help keep your mind off your troubles.
Damn pity. Those Mexican game shows where people will knife one another for a toaster are really “Must See TV”.
Same thing happened when we went to automatic elevators.
A modest solar panel and one of those little combo TV/radio sets can be great for power outages,camping,remote jobsites,etc.
I think the digital converter box will work with even those sets but will probably need twice the batteries for the converter,and an external antenna.
A most bizarre conclusion. Do you not think SOMEONE has reaped the benefit of the 1.5 billion dollars appropriated by Congress for this?
If you can buy something worth $250 for only $100 hand Uncle Sam picks up the other $150 do you not see the transfer of wealth? You get to keep $150, and the converter manufacturer makes a sale that he otherwise might not have. Everybody makes out, except me. I get the bill. I'm the guy on the other end of the wealth transfer, so don't try to tell me it isn't taking place.
John Q. Taxpayer.
Not from the Onion? Is it not bad enough I have to pay for some illegal to sit on his couch in his government funded shelter while eating government funded foods but now I must provide him with government funded entertainment as well?
Two sides to this coin. The government is mandating the move from analog to digital.
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