Nielsen: 3.1 percent of U.S. unprepared for DTV
Fewer households than ever will get snow on June 12.
With under 40 days remaining until the June 12 switch-off of analog TV stations across the United States, Nielsen Media Research reports that 3.1 percent of TV homes in the U.S. are still not prepared for the DTV transition.
That number amounts to 3.5 million households being caught by surprise when their analog-only over-the-air TV broadcasts go to snow next month. That's an improvement of about 1.5 million homes since a February 18 Nielsen survey, which is significant because the original switchover date was scheduled for February 17 before being delayed.
There's no sign of a delay for the June 12 deadline, which could indicate that the 3.5 million estimate is acceptable to lawmakers. In a recent interview, Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology & the Internet Chairman Rick Boucher said the transition is on "a very good path. I do not anticipate any further problems." He also cited improvements in the DTV coupon program owing to infusions of new cash as a result of the stimulus program.
Nielsen's report (PDF) names the Albuquerque/Santa Fe market as the least-ready for the transition, at 8.77 percent unpreparedness, while somehow the Providence/New Bedford market achieved 100 percent preparedness. The least prepared ethnic group is African-American (5.9 percent), followed by Hispanic (5 percent), Asian (4.1 percent) and finally white (2.4 percent). Despite the stereotype that the elderly are less aware of DTV than the young, just 1.7 percent of households headed by people above the age of 55 are unprepared, compared with 5.7 percent of households headed by people under 35.
(Via EngadgetHD)
David Katzmaier reviews HDTVs for CNET. 
people are so stupid, i bet they will think that there tv is broke
on the other hand maybe there just waiting until the DTV date to switch to cable or satellite???
The remaining people have no care to switch cause obviously tv isn't important to them in their lives right now, so when they feel like watching tv sometime in the future and all they get is snow, they will go out and buy a converter, simple!
But I don't believe these Neilson number, shows you how off Neilson has been for years now!
The only way to get an accurate number is to turn off analog and see how many people call to complain.
It will be no where near 3.5 million, I guarantee that!
Make the switch already.
The people remaining are the type that don't take action until absolutley necessary. So you hit it on the head,
We can spend millions and they still won't do anything, until absolutly necessary.
So we need to just turn it off already, they are prepared they just chose to wait to very last minute.
If we keep extending, they keep waiting, and laughing at us.
I'll bet there are also 3.1% American households that have their VCR flashing "12:00".
Half the time 30 minutes of static has more plot than a 30 minute crappy show in HD. Wow the bad acting, zero plot is in High -Definition! Sign me up!
Frankly, I would rather go outside and see the world in Real HD.
And really, the only way to see the whole world, is through the TV. (Seriously, have you ever seen Planet Earth on Blu ray on a HD TV?) No way you're going to see all that in your life in person.
thrilled to endure all these additional DTV ads since February. We know New Mexico's economy is bad,
who's isn't? Rhode Island and South Carolina are fighting it out for the 2nd worst unemployment stats
after Michigan; somehow these folks have made the switch-over. Viewers here have been acutely
aware of the transition thanks to WCVB (Ch. 5 Boston,ABC), WGBH (Ch. 2, PBS- "Produced in Boston,
shared with the world.")
The 3.1%, I guess they will find out about it as soon as they pay their electric bills.
Best to all,
Riverledge.
sorry, that first run on senetence makes no sense
You must be one of those people who hasn't picked up a converter yet...
They could always just light a fire inside their TV like the little girl was watching in the 1st Terminator movie. And just Stare at it.
- by jw55 May 6, 2009 3:58 PM PDT
- There has never been anything in the history of mankind that 100% of the people have been prepared for and there never will be. Some don't know, some don't care and, perhaps, some think switching to dtv will cause autism. Why not? Apparently everything else does.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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- by AnthonyNYC May 6, 2009 4:16 PM PDT
- well said!
- Like this
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(26 Comments)And a note to those superior intellects who can't let any article on this topic go by without making a comment about how pathetic the rest of us are for watching tv. Watching tv is no bigger a waste of time than making snarky comments about people who watch tv. If you were truly as evolved as you imagine yourselves to be we wouldn't be hearing from you here.