Are you and your family ready for - drum roll…trumpets blaring – THE TELEVISION SWITCH DATE, FEBRUARY 17, 2009? Are you asking yourself what the ‘blazes’ is he talking about!
This morning’s guest speaker was Ms. Sharon Williams, Regional Sales Coordinator for ‘ION Media Networks’ of Atlanta.
By law, all American television stations must switch their broadcasting mode from an analog signal to a digital signal by February 17, 2009. Television sets connected to a cable or satellite feed will continue to receive programming after that date.
But those analog television sets not connected to cable, satellite, or a telephone company service provider, or without a DTV [Digital Television] convert box will not receive ANY TELEVISION SIGNAL after date.
DTV is a new type of broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide ‘dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.’ It can also offer multiple programming choices, viewer interactive capacities, data services, and enhanced closed captioning.
Why switch to DTV? Under legislation passed by Congress in 2005 – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – all ‘free local broadcast television stations’ are required to TURN OFF their analog channels on February 17, 2009 and continue broadcasting exclusively in digital format.
Consumers, who have analog television sets, will not receive any signals if they do not have a set top box or have a DTV set.
It’s estimated ‘19.6 million households’ receive only ‘over–the–air television signals’ with their current sets. Approximately ‘70 million’ television sets are at risk of losing their signals after February 17, 2009.
For more information concerning digital television, DTVAnswers.com is a good source.
Out of PAKC’s 43 members, only 32 members have responded they will come to this event. Last year PAKC contributed $14,000 in items for the silent auction. This year the Club has only $3,500 in contributions. Downright ‘pitiful’!
Wesleyan College, Macon
To be held at our meeting on February 6, 2008. Past PAKC president Mr. Jim Henderson, 94 years old, plans to attend. Come hear some the ‘behind the scene’ stories from a ‘remarkable’ man.
February 6, 2008 at 12 noon, come hear Club member Burt Manning, Chief Tax assessor for Fulton County, speak as the key speaker at the Steak & Ale Restaurant on Virginia Avenue. This ‘tax man’ is fun to hear speak. Tells great stories! All kinds! Did you know he was a former USAF atomic ordinance specialist? Talk about the ‘taxman’ dropping bombs! Come listen!
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