One of the primary educational methods in advance of the DTV deadline 2/17/09 is a market-wide analog shut-down. It provides a vivid demonstration of the future faced by analog-only off-air viewers if they don’t take immediate action. To that end, the NAB Television Board is promoting national events of this nature two months and one month ahead of the deadline.
“The NAB TV Board of Directors supports the concept of coordinated national events roughly 30 and 60 days prior to the transition to all-digital television broadcasting on February 17, 2009. Coordinated national events will help consumers prepare for the transition. Accordingly, the board encourages all members to participate in a meaningful way that fits the circumstances of their market whether through a coordinated ‘soft-test,’ road-blocked messaging or other means of communicating important DTV viewer action steps.”
Meanwhile, Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher has agreed to a promotion deal with online converter box outlet VelocityStore.com. According to the Washington Post, Joe may be the perfect spokesman – he uses an analog TV and does not subscribe to an MVPD service.
RBR/TVBR observation: Do it. Every single viewer who is rescued in advance represents one less headache the day after.
