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Wilmington, North Carolina will be the first market in the United States to switch to all-digital broadcasting on September 8, 2008. It is the 135th largest TV market with about 180,000 TV households. Nielsen has cable and satellite TV providers servicing 92.6% of area households, so only 7.4% rely exclusively on free TV (Multichannel News, 05/07/2008).
Five full-power stations affiliated with the Big Four networks and a Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliate will pull the plug on analog broadcasting at noon on September 8.
Wilmington was one of a few markets the FCC reached out to that could make the digital transition more easily because they had finished constructing their digital facilities and were operating at full power. The September 8 date was picked because it provided enough time to educate viewers about the switch, and still left enough time afterward to collect data to help with the switch.
WUNJ did not like the timing of the analog shutdown, however, because it would be in the middle of hurricane season, and the station wanted to make sure it was able to provide emergency information to all viewers.
The FCC said that it is sending staffers to the Wilmington market starting now and through the transition to help with education and coordination.
It was also announced that 11 stations in the Orlando, Florida market will be shutting off their analog signals at various points this summer. The test is similar to the one conducted by KVBC Las Vegas recently. It involves three test broadcasts between June and the end of the year, with the first being conducted on June 25 at 7:59 p.m.
Participating stations will shut down their analog feed for one minute, disrupting service for viewers who rely on over-the-air signals. Viewers who watch the stations through digital TVs, or who have cable or satellite, won't lose their service. They will instead see a congratulatory message telling them they've passed the test.
After each test, stations will notify viewers that if their screen went blank, they need to take action, and will direct them to government websites and toll-free numbers where they can get information about digital transition options (Broadcasting & Cable, 05/08/2008).
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