Search the web

Are Blacks Unprepared For Digital TV Flip?

Comments (11)

You may have heard that in early 2009 television transmission will be revolutionized: it's going completely digital. Are you ready? Have you also gotten your government-issued discount coupons worth up to $40?

If you rely on an antenna to receive programming, have you gotten your digital conversion box? If you have, then you are not one of the 16.3 percent of black households fully unprepared for the switch.

Here are more details from a public relations press release:

Those with analog TV sets using a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears are at risk of losing their TV signal; one of the communities most in danger is African-Americans.

According to Nielsen data, 16.3 percent of African-American households are completely unready for the switch. This means you, your family, neighbors, elders, and friends may not know what the switch is, why or when it will happen, and how to prepare.

Nielsen data also shows that African-Americans continue to watch more television than the total U.S. composite. African-Americans watch 45 hours and 22 minutes of television per week. Total viewing among all households was 31 hours and 55 minutes per week and 27 hours and 13 minutes in Hispanic households.

Anyone using an analog television with a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears will find that their TVs will not work after February 17, 2009. Viewers with analog TVs using antennas have three options to keep their TVs working after the digital transition:

* Buy a certified converter box that will plug into your analog TV;
* Buy a TV with a digital tuner; or
* Connect your analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service.

Because this change will impact African-Americans, the Department of Commerce wants to make sure that we know and understand the options to prepare. One of the options being that the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, run by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is offering U.S. households up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of certified TV converter boxes and will mail coupons to those households requesting them. Coupon supplies are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. To date, more than 25.8 million coupons have been requested by 13.7 million households. There are 33.5 million coupons available for distribution. Purchasing a converter box is a one-time cost, and the boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $70.

But beware. As you get ready for the switch and are looking to buy a digital converter box, be on guard for scammers looking to prey on the people making the change. Check out what the Better Business Bureau is warning us about - click here.

For more information on making the switch to digital and what it means check out the official site: www.dtv2009.gov

Comments: (11)

Add a comment

Page 1 of 2

Add a Comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed but they are required to confirm your comments. When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password."

Most Commented Articles

Get Closer to BV

  • slider Image
  • slider Image
  • slider Image

Find a Message Board

Find out what members are saying about everyone from Barack to Beyonce. There are nearly 100 forums from which to choose. Click on a category below and discover the right board for you.

Our Lens Sept. 1

    Hector Jackson (C), who impersonates the late US pop star Michael Jackson, gestures while he takes part in the "I do dance Thriller" event which attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest mass "Thriller" dance, in Mexico City, on August 29. Up to 15,000 people are expected to take part in a potentially record breaking mass performance of Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller" dance on the day he would have turned 51.

    Omar Torres, AFP/ Getty Images

    A long line of fire marches west towards the communities of Acton and Sunland-Tujanga on August 31 in Los Angeles, California. At least 18 homes were destroyed and 12,000 more homes and 500 commercial buildings are being threatened in the fire which already took two lives. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near a ranger station and the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

    Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

    Venus Williams of the United States reaches for a shot against Vera Dushevina of Russia during day one of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

    Chris McGrath, Getty Images

    A Kenyan Muslim child reads verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, on the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a Madrassa (Religion School), in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, where observants fast from dawn till dusk.

    Sayyid Azim, AP

    Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center on August 28, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Discovery is scheduled for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

    Joe Raedle, Getty Images

    Host Vanessa Williams performs with dancer Gilles Marini onstage at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, in Los Angeles, California.

    Jesse Grant, WireImage

    A girl plays with tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms Wednesday with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year.

    Alberto Saiz, AP

    Tom Wainaina recounts the events that lead to his being burned over most of his upper body August 26 in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Wainaina was burned by a group of men during post-election violence in Kenya's disputed 2007 presidential election. Ethnic-tribal violence left over 1,000 people dead. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Concern, in cooperation with local Kenyan groups, has launched a campaign to provide the urban poor with cash grants to start a business or get back on their feet after suffering disproportionately from post-election violence in 2007. The money is transferred to the recipients via a mobile phone which insures a safe and simple financial transaction to customers who don?t have bank accounts. Wainaina is one of dozens of Kibera residents to receive the assistance of a cash grant. Hairdressers, grocery stores and food vendors are just some of the businesses that have been financed through the program.

    Spencer Platt, Getty Images

    People standing near the grave of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) look at the grave of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) at Arlington National Cemetery August 30, in Arlington, Virginia. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was buried yesterday next to his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) after he died of brain cancer on August 25.

    Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama takes out his daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) and niece Suhaila Ng (L) to shop in the Alleys general store on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2009.

    Jewel Samad, AFP/ Getty Images