Survey: Half of Americans Unaware of Digital TV Switch

June 10, 2008 — -- Eight months from now, millions of televisions nationwide could go black when networks switch from analog to digital signals, and according to a new government survey, more than half of the affected households don't even know it.

On Feb. 17, 2009, television stations will start broadcasting in digital signals to free airwaves for public safety announcements and wireless providers. While efforts are well under way to educate consumers about the switch, new data released today by the investigative arm of Congress found that almost half of the 13 million households that could lose service are not prepared for the digital TV conversion.

"While general awareness of the DTV transition is high, there are indications that some consumers are confused or unknowledgeable about the transition, as 45 percent of those households who are at risk plan no action or inadequate action to prepare for the transition," Mark Goldstein at the Government Accountability Office said in written testimony submitted for today's hearing before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are growing increasingly concerned, with today's hearing the fifth one the subcommittee has held on the subject.

"The GAO results underscore, for instance, that many consumers do not yet fully understand the ramifications of the transition," Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey, D-Mass., said in his prepared opening statement, noting that the data indicates "significant consumer confusion."

The government watchdog group also found that 55 percent of people are aware of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's program to mail out coupons for $40 discounts on converter boxes to requesting households. The boxes, which sell for about $60 without the discount, would allow people to watch digital programming on analog TV sets.

"We will need to examine how best to calibrate the consumer education campaigns to yield not only ever greater consumer awareness, but also more accurate knowledge across the country about what consumers may need to do, or not do, and how best to prepare the nation for the future of television," Markey said.