[opendtv] Nevada Test Day Update
- From: dan.grimes@xxxxxxxx
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:02:49 -0800
Monday, January 12th, 2009
The NEVADA Broadcaster- THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE NEVADA BROADCASTERS
ASSOCIATION
NO. 4
TEST DAY
Following a statewide meeting of television general managers last Thursday
and a historical meeting of television general managers and two FCC
commissioners last Friday, Nevada's television stations are setting the
stage for February 17 with dress rehearsal soft tests being held
throughout today and into tomorrow morning. Thom Porterfield, NBA
Chairman-Elect was very pleased with our meeting with FCC Commissioners
Jonathan Adelstein and Robert McDowell. "I think they left with a very
solid impression on the commitment and work being done here."
Today is not a test for KOLO however, which is turning off its analog
signal for good at 11 AM today-- the first television station in Nevada to
do so.
The first two-minute test was held at 5:30 AM. Remaining tests throughout
today are scheduled for 10:30 AM, 7:30 PM, 11:30 PM and 2:30 AM tomorrow
morning.
There has been extensive preparation for today's tests. In addition, the
Nevada Broadcasters Association is sponsoring a statewide, automated call
center that is operational now. Last month, during a similar series of
soft tests, the center received over 3,500 calls. The center has prompts
in both English and Spanish.
NORTHERN: 1-888-388-2560 SOUTHERN:
1-888-388-2545
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Several weeks ago, Carlin became the first Nevada city to offer
all-digital, free over-the-air TV service. Even though the Carlin TV
District had taken many steps to educate residents about the change in
service, the TV District was swamped with calls when technicians turned
off the eight analog translators and replaced them with new, digital
transmitters. It took three days for the District to respond to all the
calls.
If the experience of an isolated, Eastern Nevada community of just over
two thousand residents is any indication, we can expect a significant
demand for assistance today when popular Reno TV station KOLO, turns off
their analog signal and goes all digital. It is not likely that viewers
will direct their questions, concerns and complaints only to KOLO, so we
-- other television stations, other broadcast engineers, law enforcement
agencies, emergency management and the NBA -- all need to be ready to
help. As General Manager Nick Matesi has said, “KOLO is the test case for
the Reno market." Bob Fisher takes it a step further and has said, "KOLO
is the test case for all of the state of Nevada."
By helping KOLO get through their early conversion, we can all make the
February transition date much easier for the rest of Nevada’s
broadcasters.
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- » [opendtv] Nevada Test Day Update - dan . grimes