As the DTV Delay Act prepares to go into effect, many Black households nationwide are still not yet ready for the signal switch from analog to digital.
As the DTV Delay Act prepares to go into effect, many Black households nationwide are still not yet ready for the signal switch from analog to digital.
Earlier this year, President Barack Obama postponed the switch, which was to happen in February, to the June date to allow consumers more time to get ready. But the federal government reports that despite the wait, many still are not prepared.
“Through outreach efforts by the Federal Communications Commission, we have identified that the African-American households, particularly in the Chicago market, are unprepared for the switch and that concerns us,” said Emmitt Carlton, outreach coordinator for DTV.gov. “Through our outreach partners, such as libraries and non-profit organizations, we have learned that a lot of seniors and public housing residents have yet to purchase converter boxes or get satellite TV or cable installed.”
The switch takes place June 12, and if a person does not have a digital TV and relies on antenna reception (not pay TV, cable or satellite service) to receive local stations, they are not yet ready for the switch, Carlton explained.
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