Adelstein, Broadcasters Discuss More DTV Tests

Federal Communications Commission member Jonathan Adelstein is talking with broadcasters about setting up more short-term tests of the analog cutoff similar to ones conducted and or planned by stations in Las Vegas and Orlando (FL). "We should support and encourage local broadcasters to conduct these soft analog-shutoff exercises because we couldn't get other folks to step up and be willing to do what Wilmington did," he said. Commissioner Adelstein said there could even be a national turn-off-the-analog moment closer to the real Feb. 17, 2009, cutoff date. "Let's see what we glean from the communities willing to conduct this exercise," he said of the proposed tests, "and see if it is worth doing a national, early ‘soft’ analog shutoff" test. Commissioner Adelstein said that in addition to the information gained, the FCC could generate some of the so-called earned media about the DTV transition that comes from news coverage of such tests. He added that he has had discussions at the staff level with both the National Association of Broadcasters and the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) and that they were amenable to teaming up with the FCC and state broadcast associations to conduct more of the short-term tests. "We're hearing good things from broadcasters about the idea," he added.
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