Minnesotans have until Feb. 17 to ready their televisions for the switch-over to digital.
Bill Freedman, Federal Communications Commission associate bureau chief, told the House Telecommunications Regulation and Infrastructure Division members the 18 percent of Minnesotans — 21 percent of Duluth-Superior area viewers — who count on analog-only TV for news and entertainment will need to take one of three steps to keep watching: purchase a new television with a built-in digital tuner; connect their analog television to a converter box; or subscribe to a satellite or cable television service. Some viewers may also require a new antenna.
Information and instructions, including how to install a converter box and how to request a $40 government-issued coupon, are available at www.dtv.gov. But members were especially concerned whether their senior constituents could handle the changes alone.
Although Chairman Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul) endorsed the online help options at the division’s Jan. 16 meeting, Rep. Brita Sailer (DFL-Park Rapids) said, “Most likely the folks that will be having the most trouble with this do not have access to the Web site.”
Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) painted the picture of a “70-year-old lady crawling behind the TV” to try to read the fine print to see if it’s digital-ready. Providing one-to-one help is “the crux of the issue for my people.”
Jim du Bois, president and CEO of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, said “boots on the ground” including 4-H groups and ham radio operators have been recruited to offer hands-on help. Best Buy Government Relations Specialist Mike Hiltner said the company’s outreach efforts include training staff in community organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, with direct ties to people in their homes.
“TV stations provide a vital link and lifeline to a lot of folks, particularly people that live in remote areas,” Freedman said. “We just want to make sure that on Feb. 18, the day after the scheduled transition date, that everybody has access to their television programming.”