ION Has Eye on Soft Analog-Cutoff Tests
ION Media Networks to conduct tests in six markets with public TV stations, affiliates of NBC, Telemundo.
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/18/2008 3:43:00 PM EDT
Station-group owner ION Media Networks approached TV stations and satellite and cable providers in top markets about participating in a mid- to late-October "soft" analog-cutoff test.
The markets are New York; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; Philadelphia; and Hartford, Conn.
So far, public TV stations, and Telemundo- and NBC-owned affiliates in those markets have agreed to participate (NBC and Telemundo are owned by NBC Universal, which has an ownership stake in ION).
The Federal Communications Commission encouraged broadcasters to conduct such tests to help it and viewers get a better handle on the effects of the Feb. 17, 2009, "this is not a test" switch to full-power digital broadcasting.
Wilmington, N.C., cut off its analog signals for real Sept. 8, and other North Carolina stations held a soft test earlier this week, as did stations in Milwaukee.
FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein in particular has pushed for soft tests, and he worked with ION on lining up the tests in its markets.
Plans are to hold conference-call meetings with participating broadcasters next week.
ION is the largest TV group in the United States, owning and/or operating 60 full-power TV stations, including one in each of the top 20 markets, according to the company.
ION to Conduct Analog-Shutoff Tests
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