Wilmington Opts for Second Soft Test

As the September 8 date approaches for Wilmington (NC) broadcasters to shut off their analog signals, station managers there have decided to conduct a second pre-test to make sure the message is getting out to viewers. The stations shut off the analog signal for a minute August 19, with affected viewers seeing an on-screen message informing them they're not digitally connected -- and giving them a phone number to call. The second test, set for 7:30 p.m. September 2nd, will run for five minutes. Stations can present the on-screen message any way they like, but McNair says WECT's will probably feature larger type, a more digestible presentation, such as a scroll, and perhaps the continuous display of the phone number. National Hurricane Center spokesman and former TV station chief meteorologist Dennis Feltgen doesn't see the weather putting a crimp in the transition plans.