Apr 28, 2009 5:52 pm US/Pacific
DTV Tests Slated For April 29
CBS 2/KCAL 9, Los Angeles Newspaper Group To Help Southern Califonrians Prepare For Digital TV Transition
Series Of 13 Tests Over 24-Hour Period Begins Wednesday, April 29 At 8 P.M., Followed by Comprehensive Coverage In May 1 Editions Of All Nine LANG Papers
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
KCBS-TV (Channel 2), KCAL-TV (Channel 9) and the Los Angeles Newspaper Group today announced plans for one of the most extensive educational campaigns in the country leading up to the national transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
The CBS-owned duopoly will conduct a DTV preparedness test during each of its 13 regularly scheduled weekday newscasts, beginning on Wednesday, April 29 with KCAL 9 News at 8 p.m. and continuing through CBS 2 News at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. Each test will last for one minute and will simulate a switch-off of the stations' analog signal so that viewers can determine whether all of the televisions in their homes are ready for the transition to digital broadcasting.
Additionally, on Friday, May 1, the day following the tests, all nine Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers (listed below) will publish comprehensive coverage in their main news sections dedicated to the DTV transition. The coverage will include detailed information and diagrams to help viewers make their televisions DTV-ready. Readers can keep this printed information on hand for future reference as the deadline for the digital transition approaches.
As of June 12, 2009, full-power broadcast television stations such as CBS 2 and KCAL 9 are required by the Federal Communications Commission to cease all analog transmissions. Therefore, most viewers who still rely on an antenna to receive television signals over the air must convert to digital reception. This can be accomplished by purchasing a set-top "digital converter box," or by switching to a digital-ready television. Viewers may also opt to subscribe to a cable, satellite or broadband television service.
The government is issuing coupons good for $40 off the purchase of a digital converter box, an item generally priced at between $50 and $80, and available at most electronics dealers. According to Nielsen estimates, more than 700,000 Los Angeles-area households remain partially or completely unprepared for the end of analog broadcasting.
In addition to its series of DTV preparedness tests, CBS 2 and KCAL 9 will provide a wealth of important information on what viewers must do in the event that they are not yet DTV-ready. In addition to the technical changes necessary to receive digital signals, over-the-air viewers will also find it necessary to "re-scan" their television sets. Since many Los Angeles stations (including CBS 2) are also changing their digital channel position, viewers must re-train their sets to find these new channel positions.
The Los Angeles Newspaper Group's papers reach an estimated 1.5 million daily readers in the greater Los Angeles area and include the following publications:
- Los Angeles Daily News
- Long Beach Press-Telegram
- Torrance Daily Breeze
- Pasadena Star-News
- San Gabriel Valley Tribune
- Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
- San Bernardino Sun
- Whittier Daily News
- Redlands Daily Facts
CBS 2 and KCAL 9's digital preparedness tests will air during the following newscasts:
Wednesday, April 29
KCAL 9 News at 8, 9 and 10 p.m.
CBS 2 News at 11 p.m.
Thursday, April 30
CBS 2 News at 5, 6 and 11 a.m.
KCAL 9 News at Noon, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
CBS 2 News at 5 and 6 p.m.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mike Nelson
CBS 2 / KCAL 9 (818) 655-2156
mjnelson@cbs.com
Bill Van Laningham
Los Angeles Newspaper Group (818) 713-3501
bill.vanlaningham@langnews.com
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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