Digital TV Shift Affects Minorities Most

AP ^ | Feb 15, 2008 | By JOHN DUNBAR

[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.

[TYVets]

Digital TV is a plot to force minorities to listen to conservative talk radio.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

World to End Tomorrow
Women, Minorities Disproportionately Affected, Experts Say
Columbia Professor: "Most Interesting Geophysical Event of Our Lifetimes"

- NYT Headline

[MNJohnnie]

What was the last thing that didn’t affect minorities (or women) the most?

Bush's taxcuts. They were only "for the rich"

[MNJohnnie]

What was the last thing that didn’t affect minorities (or women) the most?

Bush's taxcuts. They were only "for the rich" /s

[Pablo64]

My question is this: Is the $40 coupon enough to cover the entire cost of the converter box? Will the manufacturers of the box see this as a way to jack up the price (since the first $40 is being covered)?

We will probably have to get one for our house as we still get all our regular alphabet networks (ABCBSNBCPBSFOX) over an outside antenna (it would cost extra per month to have them added to our satellite tv package, and I'm not going to pay it while they are still free over the air).

I hope the converter box isn't too big, since I already have a VCR, DVD, and satellite box sitting on the shelf next to the tv, and there isn't much more room.

[the invisib1e hand]

“....a TV in every living room!”

[LibLieSlayer]

:-)

LLS

[Huck]

I don’t even know if my set is digital. A while back we had an outage for a week or so til the satellite got fixed. Didn’t miss it. Seriously considered cancelling but didn’t have the guts. If they are gonna make me buy some new crap, I might finally just pull the plug.

[reg45]

Wouldn't it make sense (so it won't be an option) to allow the coupons to be used as a $40 credit towards the purchase of a digital television. This would not only solve the problem, but would also provide economic stimulus in electronic sales. Then people could just junk recycle the old analog TVs.

[Unicorn]

You forgot the chilldriin.

[Islander7]

[...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 ?...]

Don’t give them any ideas!

[Rb ver. 2.0]

There’s going to be a lot of P.O’d sportsman who have small TV sets in the camper, cabin, boat or whatever and watch sat/sunday games/news/weather in between hunts and fishing.

[Cacique]

btt

[visualops]

The converters are expected to go for $70-$90, the rebate is for I think $40.
The rebates will be paid for by the auctioned “white space” between-channel spaces that will be unused by the digital signal.
The ‘white space’ will be used by cops and emergency services etc.
They will make far more from the sale of that freed up broadcast space than the rebates will cost.
So quit your screeching and be glad that some will get a lousy $40 discount on the expense of the government mandated obsolescence of our television sets.

[R_Kangel]

Didn’t B H Obama promise all people in a fair America a 70” Plasma Television if he become the Pres?

[John Valentine]

Sophistry.

[nascarnation]

You know somebody has an “agenda” when they determine the racial make-up of those lacking digital tvs.
Had the numbers come out differently, this story would never be published.

[Myrddin]

TV is a luxury. People who can't afford basic things like food and housing have no business whining about luxury items. Get a damn job.

[irishjuggler]

My question is this: Is the $40 coupon enough to cover the entire cost of the converter box? Will the manufacturers of the box see this as a way to jack up the price (since the first $40 is being covered)?

The boxes are supposed to sell for $50-$70, so the $40 coupon probably won't cover the entire cost of the box. On other hand, it wouldn't surprise me if some of the big electronics retailers (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) shoot a few specials wherein you'll be able to pick up a box for nothing (i.e., $39.99 less your $40 coupon). They'll want to get you in the door in hopes that you'll change your mind and say, "What the hell? I'll take one of those 50" plasma HDTVs instead."

[Myrddin]

In 2005, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) ensured that Congress created a $1.5 billion fund to assist consumers with the costs associate with the switchover.

Pandering to his constituents who are too drunk to do anything more than watch TV and collect checks from the government.