Eight out of 10 Households Ready for DTV

Despite what many officials proclaim, a recent poll suggests that 82 of percent broadcast-only households are actually ready for DTV.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) recently conducted a poll, surveying 2,650 households during January 2 to 6. The results indicated that more than eight out of 10 American households - those that would be affected the most from the switchover to digital television (DTV) - have actually taken the steps to prepare for the June 12 transition. According to the NAB, those households prepared themselves by learning more about the options in getting DTV, applying for a converter box coupon, or completing the upgrade to DTV.

As of last week, federal law now dictates that all full-power television stations must switch to all-digital broadcasting by June 12, 2009. Consumers who receive free over-the-air signals on analog TV sets must upgrade to DTV with a converter box, digital TV set or pay TV subscription such as DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and so on. To ensure that no consumer loses access to free broadcast television due to a lack of information about the transition, the NAB kicked off a massive DTV education campaign valued at more than $1 billion; the current survey was part of that campaign.

"We are pleased to see that broadcasters’ wide-reaching education efforts have penetrated beyond general awareness and compelled Americans to act," said Jonathan Collegio, NAB vice president for the DTV transition.

Naturally, the NAB didn't offer any statistics as to what households were actually polled. Did they contact households in rural areas? Did they contact those who couldn't afford the converter boxes or are considered minority Americans? What about the elderly? These are the people that politicians worry about, fearing that once the analog signals switch off, their screens will grow dark as well. Without free over-the-air reception, those households will likely be without public announcements and weather alerts.

Still, the NAB insists that 97 percent of all households are actually aware of the DTV transition nationally (with the margin of sampling error at +/- 2 percent). However, the biggest news stemming from the research is that, despite knowing TV is indeed switching to digital and that the transition will impact over-the-air signals, the households polled are also able to identify the correct transition date, defeating all pre-conceived notions of mass confusion.

“These findings make clear that there is universal awareness of the DTV transition, with most Americans having gotten the message, understanding what they need to do and taking steps to ensure their homes are ready,” Seth Geiger, president of SmithGeiger LLC, which conducted the poll.

The American population - for the most part - is ready for DTV according to the NAB poll. The U.S. government, on the other hand, apparently is not, as seen in recent months.