February 17th R.I.P? (We hardly knew ye.)

Lauren KravetzFCC DTV Regional Supervisor

West Central Regionlauren.kravetz@fcc.gov

(202) 418-7944

DTV Quick Facts• We are transitioning from analog to digital, NOT to HD.

• Most tv stations are already broadcasting in both analog and digital.

• The “transition” involves stations shutting off their analog transmitters.

• Nearly 150 stations have already transitioned, and hundreds more are expected to transition on February 17th, despite the extension to June 12. It won’t be clear until next week how many will transition on (or before) the 17th.

• $40 Coupons are available to defray the cost of the converter box. There is currently a delay in receiving coupons, but applications over the next couple weeks will likely be filled, just not before February 17. Apply at www.dtv2009.gov or 888-DTV-2009.

• Analog TVs connected to cable or satellite are fine, as are digital tvs, whether or not they are connected to cable or satellite.

• Satellite is tricky – many consumers do not get their local stations on the satellite, but rather on a separate tv with an antenna.

• Analog pass-through converter boxes will allow viewing of low power tv stations that are not transitioning right now, especially relevant in border areas because Canada and Mexico are not transitioning for several years.

FCC’s Consumer Outreach

Divided into six regions, based on Nielsen Media Research regions:

• East Central - IN, KY, MI, OH , WV• Northeast - CT, DC, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT• Pacific - AK, AZ, CA, ID, NV, OR, UT, WA• Southeast – AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA • Southwest - AR, LA, NM, OK, TX• West Central - CO, IA, IL, KS, MO, MN, MT, NE, ND,

SD, WI, WY

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DTV Regional Supervisors

East Central:Lyle Elder (202.418.2365)Lyle.Elder@fcc.gov

Northeast:Cecilia “Ceci” Seppings

(202.418.1588)Cecilia.Seppings@fcc.gov

Pacific:Roger Goldblatt (202.418.1035)Roger.Goldblatt@fcc.gov

Southeast:Patrick Webre (202.418.7953)Patrick.Webre@fcc.gov

Southwest:Keyla Hernandez (202.418.0965)Keyla.Hernandez-Ullo@fcc.gov

West Central:Lauren Kravetz (202.418.7944)Lauren.Kravetz@fcc.gov

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Nationwide DTV Outreach Program

• Over 200 volunteers from all parts of the FCC are participating.

• Each is assigned to a region.• Most are assigned as DMA Coordinators.• “On-the-ground” outreach began mid-November.• DMA Coordinators work with stakeholders to

coordinate consumer information and assistance.• Focus is on “at-risk” consumers.

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FCC Map for TV Coverage

• Map Book of all full powered digital television stations can be found at

http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/

• The map shows for each station the digital tv coverage as compared to its analog coverage

Basics of “Delay” Legislation• Extends analog broadcasting until June 12.• TV stations may transition early, subject to FCC

rules. • Public safety agencies can get access to analog

airwaves returned early to start working on new uses that will help emergency responders. 

• Coupon application deadline extended from March 31 to July 31. 

• Expired coupons will be replaced.• BUT the additional funding for coupons and

outreach is in the “stimulus” bill.

FCC Grassroots Contracts

• Some are nationwide, some are regional.

• Some propose to serve specific constituencies.

• Different activities included in each, depending on what awardee proposed.

• Managed from FCC HQ.

AARP

• Enhancing nationwide call center for DTV

• Nationwide number is (877) 698-8068

• FCC contacts:– Elesza Waters, (202) 418-1275 or

elesza.waters@fcc.gov– Patricia Chew, (202) 418-0514 or

patricia.chew@fcc.gov

Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network

Phoenix, AZSan Diego, CALos Angeles, CASan Francisco, CASacramento, CASan Jose, CADenver, COBroward, FLMiami-Dade, FLChicago, IL

Albuquerque, NMBrooklyn, NYNew York, NY

Philadelphia, PAPuerto RicoDallas, TXFort Worth, TXSan Antonio, TXEl Paso, TXHouston, TX

Focusing on the top 20 Hispanic markets:

HITN, cont’d.• Partnering with Dish Network to deliver converter boxes and

promote workshops.• Partnering with Latinos in Information Sciences & Technology

(LISTA) to provide technical support for home installation of converter boxes through a network of technical professionals.

• Will establish help centers at community-based organizations in the 20 high-Hispanic density markets.

• Will conduct weekly workshops, originating from HITN studios and transmitted via HITN’s private video conferencing satellite communication platform to multiple sites in target cities.

• Will produce Spanish-language public service announcements and promotional spots to air on HITN’s radio network partner, Radio Bilingue.

• Has launched a dedicated Latino Digital Transition website at http://www.hitn.tv/dtv.

Idaho Public Television• Providing phone and email assistance in regard to DTV

converter box installation.• Will conduct two live call-in shows to answer questions about

installation, and engineers will follow-up• Will will follow-up with 3000 previous callers to ensure they

have successfully installed their converter boxes.• Idaho Public Television will develop and air new informational

spots on specific DTV transition issues. Issues to be covered are: fringe areas, cliff effect, antenna placement, rescanning channels, and impact of the transition on those who receive signals via translators).

• FCC Contacts:– Michelle Scott, (202) 418-1375, michelle.scott@fcc.gov– Richard Smith, richard.smith@fcc.gov

Iowa Public Broadccasting• IPTV will assist callers with reception and converter

box questions.• For those who cannot be helped on the phone,

IPTV's Digital Advisory Group will recruit local volunteers for in-home assistance.

• IPTV will identify and train other partners to help with on-site installation and reception concerns.

• The toll-free number IPTV number is 1-800-532-1290.• FCC Contacts:

– Jerry Liebes, (202) 418-1582, jerry.liebes@fcc.gov– Kristi Thompson, (202) 418-1318, kristi.thompson@fcc.gov– Tracy Waldon, (202) 418-0957, tracy.waldon@fcc.gov

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee

• Volunteers will be recruited to assist at-risk consumers in applying for coupons.

• Contributions will be solicited to assist in purchase of converter boxes for low-income individuals.

• Assistance with purchase process, including transportation to the store. • Trained volunteers from the CWA and local television stations will do

installations.• Knoxville’s Senior Citizens Information and Referral Service (SCIRS) will

serve as the central location for phone and walk-in information about the DTV converter box project.

• FCC Contacts:– Michelle Scott, (202) 418-1376, michelle.scott@fcc.gov– Anne Levine, (202) 418-7027, anne.levine@fcc.gov– Katherine “Kaki” Power, (202) 418-0919, katherine.power@fcc.gov

WOSU Public Media• WOSU will assist at-risk consumers to get converter boxes, either

through individual purchases or through an existing WOSU program urging coupon donations.

• WOSU will work through its partners (Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging/LifeCare Alliance, the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, the City of Columbus New Americans Initiative, and other local immigrant support organizations) to organize, conduct and supervise the installation of converter boxes in the residences of the at-risk populations.

• WOSU will operate a call center and a walk-in help center at their Columbus studio.

• FCC Contacts:– Toni McGowan, (202) 418-2202, toni,mcgowan@fcc.gov– Mark Stone, (202) 418-0816, mark.stone@fcc.gov– Sandy Haase, (301) 362-3013, sandra.haase@fcc.gov

PinTech Corporation• Coverage area:

– Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, NC– Charleston and Greenville-Spartansburg, SC– Bristol and Richmond, VA– Charleston-Huntington, WV - with overlaps into rural areas

of Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.• PinTech will partner with local organizations to locate and train

volunteers to assist with in-home installations• FCC Contacts:

– James Ham, (202) 418-1399, james.ham@fcc.gov– Michelle Carey, (202) 418-1557, michelle.carey@fcc.gov– Anne Levine, (202) 418-7027, anne.levine@fcc.gov

PinTech’s Local Help Centers

North Carolina

327 W. Morgan St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

1-888-388-1733

South Carolina

613 Lady Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Virginia

1020 Ednam Center, Suite 002

Charlottesville, VA 22903

1-877-388-0413

West Virginia

206 Capitol Street - 1st Floor

Charleston, WV 25301

1-877-388-5473

WXXI / Rochester, NY• WXXI will arrange for volunteers and staff to

do in-home installations. • Expand the staffing and hours for walk-in

and call-in center: 1-866-348-9994.• Other outreach, such as live call-in shows

and preparation of outreach materials.• FCC Contacts:

– Jerry Liebes, (202) 418-1582 jerry.liebes@fcc.gov

– Chris Robbins, (202) 418-0685, chris.robbins@fcc.gov

– Debbie Byrd, (202) 418-0834, debbie.byrd@fcc.gov

Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Technology

• Focusing on ten city council districts with vulnerable consumers.

• MCOT will coordinate requests for installation services through inquiries that come into the help centers, calls to the city’s new 311 System, and calls or emails to the local PBS/NPR affiliates, WHYY TV and Radio.

• One recreation center in each of the ten Council Districts will be established as a walk-in DTV Help and Resource Center.

• Web site - http://mcot.phila.gov/Initiatives/DTV/DTV.html.

Philadelphia MCOT, cont’d.

• FCC Contacts:– Elesza Waters, (202) 418-1275,

elesza.waters@fcc.gov– Heather Dixon, (202) 418-1132,

heather.dixon@fcc.gov– Jonathan Levy, (202) 418-2048,

jonathan.levy@fcc.gov

Wisconsin Public Television

• WPT will expand their staff and hours of operation utilizing their existing call-in number: 1-800-422-9707.

• Other outreach, such as presentations to at-risk groups, preparing materials.

• FCC Contacts:– Jerry Liebes, (202) 418-1582 jerry.liebes@fcc.gov– Kristi Thompson, (202) 418-1318, kristi.thompson@fcc.gov– Charles Engle, (202) 418-1137, charles.engle@fcc.gov

Communications Services for the Deaf

• Establishing a help center to assist 28 million deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and speech disabled consumers.

• Consumers may contact the Help Center via the web, TTY, IM Chat, IP Relay, Voice Carry-Over (VCO) Relay, Captioned Telephone (CapTel), Video Relay Service and Spanish Video Relay Service and will provide consumer education, assistance with converter box procurement and installation.

• FCC Contacts:– Toni, McGowan, (202) 418-2202, toni,mcgowan@fcc.gov– Helen Chang, (202) 418-0424, helen.chang@fcc.gov– Diane Mason, (202) 418-7126, diane.mason@fcc.gov

VN Teamwork• Serving Asian and Latin American non-English speaking

communities in the Greater Houston area.• Will establish a help center in the VNTW Center for telephone and

walk-in inquiries.• Local Call Center (281-495-8936) through February 17th: weekdays

from 9AM – 6PM; weekends from 9AM– 3PM.• VN Teamwork will translate materials on the DTV conversion into

appropriate languages and disseminate that information to individuals and their families through radio announcements, talk shows, newspapers, flyers, emails, and websites.

• FCC Contacts:– Toni McGowan, (202) 418-2202, toni,mcgowan@fcc.gov– Mark Stone, (202) 418-0816, mark.stone@fcc.gov– Margaret Dailey, (202) 418-2396, margaret.dailey@fcc.gov

Can You Help Us?

• The FCC is trying to identify potential “help centers” in every DMA.

• Places where consumers could walk in to get publications, test converter box, talk with someone.

• Please suggest senior centers that would be good candidates to host a small table with a tv set up and provide assistance for the several weeks around the transition in their community.

• Some FCC staff assistance may be available.• Send suggestions to N4A.