ION to Conduct Analog-Shutoff Tests
ION Media Networks to conduct soft analog-shutoff tests at select TV stations across country.
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/24/2008 7:35:00 AM
After discussions with Federal Communications Commission member Jonathan Adelstein, station-group owner ION Media Networks agreed to conduct so-called soft analog-shutoff tests at select TV stations across the country.
ION announced the tests in a letter to government officials and other interested parties. The company was a natural target for Adelstein's push for more cutoff testing. It is the largest TV group in the country, owning or operating 60 full-power stations, including in all top 20 markets and 39 of the top 50.
The soft launches are tests of the turnoff of analog service that full-power TV stations will have to do for real Feb. 17, 2009.
ION wants to work with the FCC, the DTV Transition Coalition and others to generate as much useful information as possible from the tests, it said.
The company will promote the tests beforehand and ask the FCC and the coalition to help spread the word, as well.
The stations will count down to the test on-air, explain that viewers may or may not see a blank screen and provide digital feeds to cable and direct-broadcast satellite. Over-the-air analog viewers' screens will go blank for an unspecified amount of time, then a follow-up message will instruct analog viewers to go to the FCC's Web site and ION's Web site for more information on the switch.
ION also said in the letter that the test will measure preparedness of broadcasters, cable systems and DBS providers, but it did not say how that was being done.
The tests would begin in August and continue through December, according to a tentative timeline issued by ION.
The company gave Adelstein a shout-out as the driving force behind the test. Adelstein has argued that more testing is needed in areas with different population densities and terrain, saying he thinks the short-term tests could help to fill the bill as part of the overall coordinated DTV effort he has long pushed for -- one he said is still lacking.
Stations in Nevada, Hawaii and elsewhere have announced plans or already conducted tests.
Stations in Wilmington, N.C., are actually pulling the plug early -- Sept. 8 -- to help the FCC gauge the impact, but Adelstein has argued for much more testing, including pushing for a coordinated national "turn-off-the-analog" moment.
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