WHAT IS DTV AND ARE YOU READY FOR IT?

TVCTV interviews a Digital Transition expert who offers tips

On June 12, 2009 all full-power television stations will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. What will this mean to the Tualatin Valley television viewer? Tualatin Valley Community Television (TVCTV) conducted an interview with Mary Lou Kenny from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Office (NTIA) to shed some light on this analog to digital transition and to discuss how the change will affect television consumers in Tualatin Valley.

Consumers who use "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna with an older model TV must take action to continue receiving TV broadcasts after June 12, 2009. About 13 million U.S. households rely on these over-the-air (OTA) television broadcasts and the Portland-Metro area has been flagged as one of the least prepared markets in the nation when it comes to the Digital Television conversion.

Host Greg Lang from the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (MACC) and Ms. Kenny discussed why the transition is occurring, who will be affected and how individuals can prepare. There was also information on how to determine if you need new reception equipment, the government's $40 coupon assistance program and other helpful resources for the consumer.

For more information regarding the digital transition please visit the official DTV website at www.DTV2009.gov.

For a complete DTV Interview playback schedule or for more information contact Mary Weisensee at 503-629-8534x101 or go to TVCTV's website at www.tvctv.org.

TVCTV provides cable subscribers in thirteen cities and Washington County with professionally produced local television programming of government meetings, community events, and public education. TVCTV is a division of the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (MACC), which regulates and administers Comcast and Verizon Cable Franchises in the Washington County, Lake Oswego, and Milwaukie areas.