How I Became a Victim of the Digital TV Switch

Tim Cavanaugh's post about the transition to digital broadcasting reminded me of a panicky New York Times story from last week, headlined "Millions Face Blank Screens in TV Switch." According to the Times, "The latest survey by the Nielsen Company indicates that as of the end of May, more than 10 percent of the 114 million households that have television sets are either completely or partly unprepared." But it turns out that total includes "nine million homes that subscribe to cable or satellite services but that have spare television sets—typically in bedrooms and kitchens—that are not connected to any service." By this definition, I am a victim of the digital switchover, one of the millions whose screens have gone blank, even though I continue to watch cable TV on two sets. (The other three are rigged for DVDs, VHS tapes, and video games, so they are not, strictly speaking, "blank," except when they're off.) The remaining 3 million households "do not subscribe to cable or satellite services," so they are "totally unprepared for the transition." I'm not sure this counts as a crisis, especially since that number must include people who don't have cable or satellite service because they don't watch TV much. Even the folks who can't afford pay TV probably could spring for a digital converter box that is essentially free with the use of a $40 government-issued coupon.

Trying to explain the American public's complete or partial unpreparedness, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke blames crappy PSAs: "We could have more crisply and clearly indicated who was affected by the switch. I've been critical of the public service announcements that just say, 'The switch is coming' or 'Are you ready?' " He also blames technological ineptness: "Too many people don't know the difference between digital and analog. I didn't even know myself until a few months ago, when my brother-in-law explained it to me." And plain old-fashioned procrastination: "There are so many people who are always waiting until the last minute, whether it is college students doing term papers, or people filing taxes, or people like me who wait until Christmas Eve to do their shopping." The Commerce Department has been meaning to launch a program that addresses this issue but has not gotten around to it yet.