3 million analog viewers will let TVs go dark

According to a new survey by ABI Research, 20 percent of TV viewers--3 million Americans--who rely on analog over-the-air reception will let their sets go "dark" after the DTV transition on February 17, 2009.

Will 3 million TVs look like this in February?

(Credit: CNET)

The firm's Web-based survey of 1002 U.S. consumers found that 70 percent will purchase a DTV converter box, 10 percent will switch to cable, and 20 percent will do nothing, causing their old analog TVs, which are incapable of receiving the new broadcasts without additional equipment, to go dark or display only snow. Currently, 15 percent of Americans get their TV from over-the-air broadcasts, while the remainder subscribe to cable or satellite services.

The survey also found that non-traditional TV content delivery methods, such as DVD rentals and video options available via broadband Internet, might help fill the gap for customers deciding to ditch broadcast TV.

"Our survey data suggest that the net result of consumers' choices after analog switch-off will be a drop in overall terrestrial viewing," said ABI analyst Steve Wilson. "Terrestrial viewers tend to be more likely to use alternative video entertainment forms such as DVD rentals and broadband video and the transition may push them further in that direction."

Government officials have called for more consumer education leading up to the transition date but nonetheless predict that a change of this magnitude could be "messy" and a potential "communications crisis."

What's your take? Does the decision by so many Americans to stop watching broadcast TV altogether spell doom for an outmoded delivery system? Or is the transition no big deal after all? Let us know in the comments section.

(Via TVPredictions.com)

[SirEntropy]

I don't see this as a potential problem at all. I don't have broadcast cable, but enough neighbors, family, and friends do that I keep up on my various favorite shows; not to mention advertising-friendly sites like Hulu that allow me to stream TV online. Since analog viewers were already reluctant to go with cable or satellite, cable companies shouldn't see them as lost revenue. And this shouldn't make advertisers worried; let's face it, part of the reason I don't have broadcast cable is because I don't have enough disposable income, which makes most of the advertising on TV little more than a buzzing in the background. The only people who are going to be directly affected by it are the viewers who don't switch, and even they have plenty of options available for watching programs legitimately.

[gefitz]

Was there any question about broadcast going the way of the dodo bird? I thought that was settled. Anyway, does anyone have an old console TV they're not using? I want to make it into an aquarium.

[menssie]

How much more notice or warning do people need? If it goes dark and you don't have a picture come February 2009 then it's your own fault, especially with the free vouchers that were available...

Personally, instead of making them into an aquarium, I would use the old sets/consoles for target practice in an open field with a tarp under the set so I can dispose of the pieces appropriately after I am done having my fun!

[ryanrev3]

I want to cut your head off and stick it in there.

[ryanrev3]

Just kidding. ; )

[afterhours]

Ned Ludd, an analyst from the Institute for Dumbing Us Down (IDUD) writes, 'The loss of analog broadcast represents a significant step backward in man's evolution. Suddenly, we are faced with the very real prospect of 10 to 20% of American families interacting again. They may realize that there is more than one person in the room, and that they may even be related. This will unquestionably lead to drastic steps such as the potential for cross-organism communication, perhaps even discussion, that risks the renewal of American thought. Having spent nearly 60 years removing these threats from the populace, we here at the IDUD fear a reprisal of board games, cards, familial bonding or worse -- the loss of the 20 second attention span as has been painfully achieved via our stupifying marketing techniques. At the risk of losing the precious gains made from our relentless quality-of-life erosion through broadcast entertainment, we beseech the Federal Government to act quickly, and offer all Patriotic Americans free converter boxes before it is too late. An educated and involved populace is the single biggest threat to our way of living, and it must be stopped.' Lawmakers were seen attempting to TiVo past this news, and none were noted to have looked up the term beseech' as it simply had too many 'e's' to be of consequence.

[Lerianis]

afterhours, get a life. This stuff wasn't funny BEFORE it was debunked a long time ago, and it is not anywhere NEAR funny now. It's not true either, which I am sure you are going to sputter after reading my post.

[afterhours]

You tool. Ned Ludd died 2 centuries ago. The Luddite was named after him. What part of 'satire' do you need defined?

[albizzia]

The problem with satire is some blithering idiot will totally miss the point. Sad but true.

Considering how few TV programs are worth watching, I'm not surprised that some would choose to just let it lapse.

[Slick1of2]

Maybe this will help with Americas TV addiction (at least a little). I have been without cable for nine years and have no desire to go back. Since then I have been renting DVD's from the local store, getting them off of Netflix, streaming video off the net, or simply just buying them. All of these sources will probably see an increase in use after the switch occurs. Television is a waste of time. I have college work to do and friends to hang out with. When I have down time to myself I will rent a movie/TV show.
I think instead of broadcasting shows, television directors should release their show straight to DVD/Blu-ray and make the episodes longer. Wouldn't this become a good replacement for that stupid television show rating system (what is it called?). Networks might finally know what shows NOT to cancel? This way they can actually record how many people are watching the show.

[Lerianis]

Television is not a waste of time. What is a waste of time? Hanging out with college friends, most of whom are too drunk at the time to even realize that you are with them. And yes, I am serious here.

[sportsfan206]

Let me get this straight, you are saying that they should release their shows to DVD and Blu-ray, rather than put them on TV. GREAT solution! Rather than being free, now we can pay for them! Which would mean no advertising... I really don't think you have a grasp on how much money is required to produce these shows, there is no way people are paying that much money to watch them. Anyway... this is the typical college guy attitude. Someone who likes to watch TV is useless and wasting time, when hanging out with friends accomplishes nothing either, but is somehow OK and not a waste of time. Why can't you realize that people who watch TV do not sacrifice their work, and simply like to do something less active with the down time they have. Congrats, you are a social person, so let me ask you this... Are you saying that you will get more college work done if you choose to hang out with friends, rather than watch TV?

[Robert G K]

I actually think the way of the future will be on-demand. You'll turn on your TV (or go to your computer) and instead of going to say NBC at 8pm to watch a specific show you'll go to NBC and get a list of shows you can watch. The new episode will be put on the air at a specific time but you can watch it whenever you want. So if you want to watch Heroes, instead of going to NBC on Monday at 9pm, you can go to NBC and watch any episode of Heroes for that season...new episodes may still show up on Monday or maybe all new episodes of all shows will show up at the beginning of every week. It'll be easier than Hulu and all the online sites now, and it'll be easier than current on-demand. The shows will have commercials that you can't skip, so it'll still be free.

[zgreenwell]

If they use over the air broadcast and really want to keep their TV going they'll be out buying a converter the day after the switch.

[spokanedj]

Thats my take on this. Yeah, so for a few days people will be without TV. Seriously, its like the gas price. Eveyone said "I'm not going to pay that much for Gas, I'll walk or ride my bike". Yeah, that got old after the first day and off the gas pumps everyone went.

Expect all the Cable/Satellite companies to have a "DTV promotion" in Jan/Feb as well. Lots of people will change their mind from "let it end" and go for some option to keep their TV going when the time is here. America loves to pro-crastinate...

[TBMike]

I suspect the only people who really care are the advertisers who view that as a potential lost of buyers for their products.
What communication will we lose if we lose analog TV ?? Crisis ?????????????

I would love to see the demographics of the responders to the ABI research. Understandably, most of the posters to this article seem to be younger technophiles that seek other options. My perception is that most of the 3 million are older, rural and luddites. If that's true, the resistance won't last, and the comments about satellite, cable or converter box options are correct.

[wheelzup]

Could it be that many of those who aren't going to make the switch is because of their age? I know from experience that even though I have several computers in my home that are networked together and using DSL (for what it's worth) that my parents who can't afford to live alone have moved in with my family but neither my dad or mom will touch anything they don't understand very well. They are in their late 70's and I know many who are even older that could care less about the digital world and the changes coming to TV are more than they want to re-learn how to use, they simply don't feel they can afford it. They'd rather eat and get their medications and enjoy the grand kids then spend it on something they feel is useless to them.

[Lerianis]

Television, useless? BLASPHEMY! How else are you going to get real time weather warnings, the latest sitcoms and shows like Knight Rider, etc.? Answer: there is no other way.

[rthrelkeld]

We turned off the TV about 4 years ago and fill our time with other things. We buy DVDs for the few shows we really want to watch and watch them without commercials.

[sportsfan206]

Good for you, but other peolpe in this country aren't like you. I don't have the internet at my house and choose to go to free wi-fi spots, does that mean you should have to do the same? All I am saying is your post isn't relative to this discussion.

[jimazee]

Over the air digital broadcasts to my HDTV are great. The only 'problem' is the limit of 15-20 channels and that I miss a few special sports and occasional cable news ... being stuck with just the network news is tough. I am hopeful that more OTA digital may eventually emerge. Of course where you live matters big time right now.

Sadly I tried and tried to get a converter coupon as I still own some old TVs. Despite the fact I completed the online application correctly, the Govt. agency/system/process(?) couldn't handle that I had a PO box and mailed it to my (specified) non-mail street address. I received no notice of course, just had to go back and check the DB to see what was going on...

After waiting patiently (as requested) I figured I wasn't getting the originally requested coupon. I tried again, spending more time to navigate the purposely obscure (or badly designed) problem reporting path. I was told that my coupons had expired (obviously unused...) and they couldn't reissue them...it was against the rules!! ...when I patiently explained what happened, I was directed to another bad online 'appeal' process.... and after waiting patiently (again) was once more refused.

Thank goodness this isnt really a business...and I am not really a 'customer'...OH, wait...maybe I am an owner? Your public servants and taxes at work...let's give them more responsibility!!!

[AnthonyNYC]

I hear you, I also filled online forms correctly and when I check online it says they were accepted and mailed that was in March, still haven't gotten anything. I filled out form again for the one remaining coupon, yet still nothing 2 months later and all my neighbors got them. it is starting to feel like a personal insult at this point. why no coupon for me? :(
I have cable but also have one old set in spare bedroom, so i legitimetly need 1 coupon.
This coupon program was a big mess in my opinion, they could have better some other way.

[RobertWFrei]

Hey, I spent $150 for my mast, antenna and rotor. It has only gotten me the 4 major broadcast networks, several PBS stations and a few independents. I am not switching until I get my money's worth from that investment. Having gotten only 30 years of use out of it, I am not sure if I can afford to switch yet when they go black. After all, I have paid a pretty penny - almost 50 cents per month that antenna has cost me. Until I get my money's worth out of that antenna I guess I will just have to settle for the 21 or so digital channels that I recieve over the air. Maybe someday the cable providers will offer something that will be worth paying more than 50 cents per month, until then I will just let the average get even lower, as my $150 investment continues to pay off.

I am not going dark - I switched to digital, but kept my old faithful antenna.

Signed,
Cable Amish in rural Michigan

[Lerianis]

Yeah, that is pretty much the truth. The people who won't switch or get converter boxes will be the EXTREMELY old fogies, most of whom are "You young people don't know how good you have it!" when we really don't have it very good today.

[afterhours]

Lerianus, your posts suggest you are a teenager. When you grow up, get a job, and have a life beyond your KnightRiger reruns, you'll appreciate how little TV contributes to your world.

Or not. So many don't. Pathetic.

[ka1cgl]

If they saw SDTV and HDTV, it would be nice if they could find a way to purchase a DTV. Just my 2 cents.

[fresnodude]

I have a small 4 inch screen hand held unit in that the converter is bigger than the tv are there any solutions?

[donsms]

Just another example of people using the system to gain an unfair advantage over the people who got the required coupons for converter boxes.I would imagine these folks will be screaming loud and long demanding money for new TV`s when the transition to digital takes place next year.

[braves25cf]

Why don't people just go out and buy a digital antennae for $15? Doesn't that solve the problem very cheaply?

[mattmatt32]

You need to have a digital tuner to unscramble over-the-air digital broadcasts. They are built into new TVs and the old TVs can be connected to a digital converter box. You don't really need a "digital antenna", you just need a quality antenna because the degradation of a digital broadcast signal can result in an unwatchable image instead of just the ghosted one you got with analog broadcasts. The bigger the antenna you use, the better, but there is no digital requirement to an antenna. So if you have an existing large antenna in the attic or on the roof, it will work just fine with a digital TV or converter box.

[albizzia]

Big Secret: Those newfangled "Digital TV" antennas and the old "Analog" antennas are exactly the same, no difference in how they pick up the signals. The difference is in the tuner that converts the signal from the antenna into a video signal for display - the analog tuners in older TVs can't deal with digital broadcast signals, so for those sets an external digital tuner "converter box" is needed.

[edod]

I live in a rural area and recently found out that the converter box will not work in this area. My only option is to install a satellite dish, which I can't afford. Guess it's time to dust off the old radio.

[Lerianis]

You cannot afford the FREE installation and 20 dollar a month charges for a satellite dish? I don't think so, bubu. Try pushing that **** on someone who DOESN'T have relatives in the middle of nowhere, West Virginia, who have satellite TV.

[sportsfan206]

A converter box that has a location bias? What is this cr*P??? All it does is convert a digital signal to a analog TV, why is that dependent on location? This post makes absolutly no sense whatsoever.

[AnthonyNYC]

If you currently get an analog signal now, you will also get the same signal in digital come febuary 2009 with a $40 convertor box (free if you apply for coupon), so your post is incorrect.
Digital will be available anywhere analog is today.
The only problem i see, is if you have a very weak analog signal (lots of snow) then the digital signal might not come in at all, since digital is either perfect or nothing, there is no such thing as weak digital picture.
You will need a strong enough antenna to get a perfect analog signal now, then when digital conversion happens in Feb 2009, you will continue to get the same stations using the digital convertor box. Simple.

[edod]

The installation fee for satellite TV in my area is a minimum of $125 and basic monthly service is $55 and I repeat I cannot afford it. I know the converter box doesn't work because I bought one and installed it. I get noise, snow and an occasional blue box saying NO SIGNAL. By the way, I don't consider West Virginia to be a rural area. Compared to where I live, it's a metropolis.

[AnthonyNYC]

EDOD,
OK, I understand your situation obout buying the box and it not working, I also agree West Virginai isn't a rural area.
All i can say to this is, wait till Feb, and try it again.
Not all stations did early conversion like major cities. It is expensive to buy new digital transmission systems and a lot of places are still dragging their *****. LOL
So if still after official date you still can't get digital stations with converter then I would worry.
But give them more time to get their act together IMHO.
:) Good Luck

[mookz1]

I bought a Zenith converter which you can manually select and see the signal strength for each channel but I do not have strong enough signal to get any of the digital stations.
With analog,at least with a weak signal I could get channels with some static ,but with digital I need a very strong signal or I get no TV channels at all.
I tried local channels that have gone digital on a new HDTV with amplified antenna and channels come in almost clear with analog but I still can not get the Digital channel to come in.People are either going to have to invest in new antenna's with decibel booster or get no channels at all when DTV comes in Feb 2009 and still no guarantee you will receive any channels then.What a joke.
I used the coupon for the receiver plus an extra $23 and I get nothing.I hope that the TV channels boost their signals or all of this DTV will just be a boon for satellite and cable companies.

[Lerianis]

It might be that your antenna isn't very good. Have someone come out and put up a better quality antenna, with the understanding that it is a 'tester' (most companies will do this for free in order to possibly get someone to buy) and see if you can get the digital stations.
If not..... sorry, better start thinking about cable TV or satellite service.

[sportsfan206]

I doubt many people across the country are in your situation, happy with a crappy static analog reception. Is your antenna inside or outside? If inside, of course you aren't getting good signal, inside antennas suck. My signal strength was horrible inside, and when I put a $59 outside antenna on the side wall of my house, every channel is at 95% or higher.

[mookz1]

I allready had Dish Network,but had been too busy working to watch it much and shut it off.When I did watch Dish Network,it would lose signal with storm clouds close by.I am in rural Maine where there are alot of mountains,but the new HDTV television with boosted antenna outside was at another persons house and much closer to transmitter towers and good reception on analog but could not get digital channels.A good Vhf-UHF antenna costs around $100 new upto $130 and then an amplifier costs $20 to $50 extra and still no guarantee that I will get any digital channels.
I do have high speed internet with time warner for $25 a month for what they call RR Lite a little over 700kb download and 128 upload which is a great deal and I watch tv shows that I like online since I can't watch them with an antenna.
If you live in the city,digital tv is for you. If you live in rural area's,be prepared to pay for an antenna and maybe someone to come and set it up for you and no guarantee you'll many or any digital channels.
The money the government spent on giving out $40 to $80 a person on vouchers for DTV will be a waste of taxpayers money if they can never receive a digital signal.Oops.. Now my new or old tv will be in the dark after feb 2009.
I will not waste my money on giant antenna's and boosters to get what city people get with rabbit ear antenna's almost FREE.
The Internet is my TV now with Hulu website,crystal clear HDTV.

[hyghwayman]

Make your own OTA HDTV Antenna
by hyghwayman - 10/22/08 11:06 PM
In reply to: Adding 2nd Antenna for DTV - Good Idea? by Johnbob08
Before you buy a antenna, you may want to build your own antenna like I did. I have tried all sorts of commercial store bought antennas and must say my home made antenna beats the pants off of all of them.

Lumelab has a dedicated thread with 51 pages of info and discussion on the topic. DIY HDTV Antenna http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9613
(Update) You will need to register w/ Lumenlab to see the thread.

AVS Forums also has a thread. How to build a UHF antenna... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=798265

Antenna Design http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=31497



http://hthut.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2243ABF263B6C3B5!209.entry

hyghwayman

[nitecourt]

Time Warner in my area is raising rates up to 17% next month. I just might let my TV go dark a few months early.

[AnthonyNYC]

I feel your pain, Time warner signed me up to "The Best" package for $99, 9 years ago and have raised the price by $5 a month every year, It is now $158 a month, way too much!
They, IMHO, will lose more money by raising rates than gian, cause more and more people will opt for free once clear digital channels are available.
I will keep my Time Warner cable broadband at $59 a month, and cancell everything else come febuary, thus saving me $100 a month, I will miss HBO and Showtime, but will just have to wait for the shows to come out on DVD in a year and rent them with Netflix, simple.
Also i will watch more stuff thru PC to TV option using high speed internet.
Stupid move for TWC to raise prices at this time.
Digital TV with HDTV will eventually hurt cable and satillite in my opion and they will either need to raise prices even more, raise internet prices to make up the difference, or the smart choice...lower prices completely and gain back all the lost customers and make even more with lower prices!
I hope they smarten up soon, and go with the lower prices option.
:)

[al1127]

While there is really nothing on the broadcast networks worth seeing to these people, they may still listen to the radio. Television is not the end all of communication throughout the US. Besides that, there is much to be desired in programming these days, so one might think, why bother!