Report Identifies Gaps in U.S. Digital TV Transition

NEW YORK, February 12: According to market research firm
Centris, there are significant gaps in digital TV signal coverage across the
U.S., with more than 40 million homes receiving over-the-air analogue signals,
just one year ahead of the DTV transition in February 2009.

"We predict that digital TV signal coverage will be
more limited than currently anticipated,” said David Klein, the executive VP of
Centris. “An issue that, until now, has been completely overlooked by the FCC
and governing bodies, and could have serious—and
costly—implications for millions of consumers.”

Centris estimates that there are 40 million households
currently receiving over-the-air analogue signals in the U.S., reflecting a combined
total of as many as 117 million sets that are unconnected from cable or
satellite video networks. Centris notes that two of the three options for these
consumers—acquiring new digital TV sets and purchasing government
subsidized digital-analogue converter boxes—are entirely dependent upon
receiving digital TV signals through an antenna. Without adequate broadcast
signal coverage or a sufficiently sensitive roof-top antenna, Centris forecasts
these options will not work. "Consumers are being urged to purchase
equipment that may or may not work when they bring it home—never before
has such an important transition been conducted on a trial and error basis,”
Klein said. “The reality is, if consumers want guaranteed 'free' TV, they will
have to pay for it.”

Meanwhile, Centris conducted a survey in November 2007 that
found that 45 percent of respondents had no idea that the DTV transition was
taking place; and among those who are aware of the transition, only 56 percent
could correctly state when the analogue transmission is scheduled to stop.

—By Mansha Daswani