Study Shows Over Half of Presumptive Viewers Will Have Problems with DTV

In an article in TV Technology, a site that has been used by some, in citations designed to minimize the problems with the upcoming DTV transition, a new study is delivering significant news to the unbelievers, thinking that the very word digital is a panacea.

The study shows that approximately 58% of the population expecting to watch television using no cable or satellite will have problems doing so.

Even a $40 converter-box coupon can’t get TV where there’s an inadequate signal, and a new study by Centris Inc. estimates that 8.5 million households primarily reliant on over-the-air TV will experience some trouble with TV reception.

That’s 58 percent of all households primarily reliant on over-the-air TV. The total figure is a decline from Centris’ early 2008 estimate of 9.2 million.

That study was criticized at the time by many broadcasters on several methodological fronts, as outlined here by TV Technology columnist Doug Lung.

At that time, David Donovan, president of the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) also criticized the Centris study. “It is simply wrong to suggest that DTV service will not be available in areas outside of 30 miles from a DTV broadcast tower,” he said, referring to one of the study’s assumptions. Donovan was not immediately available for further comment.

Centris said its latest study—pitched as a report of marketing opportunities related to the DTV transition—“means that a large number of TV viewers will require additional options other than the primary converter box program to continue receiving adequate signals.”

By “other options,” Centris is referring to new antennas as well as subscription TV. For cable providers, new customers might also want voice and broadband services, said Centris President Bill Beaumont.

“Retailers that offer both sales and installation of antenna and other needed equipment may also benefit from selective households wishing to retain OTA reception,” Beaumont said.

Centris estimates that 33.8 million homes that will be affected by the DTV conversion—14.6 million that use on-air analog signals as their primary source of TV, and another 19.2 million with both over-the-air and pay television.

Of the 14.6 million primary OTA households, Centris estimates approximately 6.1 million (42 percent) should be able to receive TV if they purchased and correctly install a converter box.

Centris is selling the complete report for $2,500.

You just have to love capitalism.

This shows that, to those who crow that plenty of notice has been given, over a two year period, the wrong message was delivered. It has been less than 6 months since the commercials being shown hinted that something else might be necessary.

A look at just two comments on the original article shows that, not all who are complaining are miscreants, malcontents, idiots, or (necessarily) poor.

I’ve tried the best channel master antenna, with the
best preamp I can find, and I still can’t get some stations. I have sent e-mails, and called local stations just trying to find out if they are going to change channels when the conversion takes place, and they won’t respond. As of now I no longer watch local tv. There is no reason to bother. I haven’t watched local except for a occasional program in months, and don’t miss it.I think local has just lost. Now can we sell all the frequency’s and put the money to some other stupid government project.

Posted by: Bill Houston ( Email: ) at 1/18/2009 10:23 AM

and

I think it would be wise for the government to let PBS affiliates broadcast analog and digital signals for one or two more years. The other network and indie stations would go just digital as scheduled. It would offer some television to those without adequate digital signals have some access and the other viewers that have yet to finish their conversion

Posted by: Roger Sajak ( Email: ) at 1/20/2009 6:45 PM

These are hardly the type of citizens that fall into the category painted by opponents of the delay of transition as ‘whiners’.

The first comment is fairly typical of the neighbors in the area in which I live. Most have no understanding how, with a $200-$300 expenditure, their reception can be so good for a few minutes then totally gone for a couple of hours in the morning or evening. Worse yet, some have reported that there is disruption of picture in a random fashion, varying from total loss of picture or extreme pixellation every 3 to 11 minutes (these are approximations, from memories, but are widespread, so as not not be classified as anecdotal). The baffling part, to them, is why this is no problem with the ‘inferior’ analog transmissions that are received without interruption for hours on end. Again, these results are from people who cannot be classified as  whiner, ignorant, lazy, unprepared, or poor.

When these problems occur, to such a number of people, the answer can not simply be ‘Get cable!’

While cable or satellite may provide relief, the idea that non-pay television is gone to the population is one met with a great deal of opposition.

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Quote of the Day:

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.
–Dr. George Washington Carver