The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now helping around two dozen TV stations that recently switched to digital transmission and are struggling.
Several TV stations in Philadelphia, New York, Dallas and Chicago continue to struggle after switching from a UHF band to VHF band no June 12. A recent AP article describes the difference between VHF band and UHF:
"The VHF band was previously used only for analog broadcasts, and was largely untried as a carrier for digital broadcasts. While UHF can be received well with small indoor antennas, the best VHF antennas are large rooftop units. Many antennas sold as 'digital' ones in the last few years receive UHF only."
The FCC dispatched engineers to the cities that need support, and repair work is already underway.
Hopefully the FCC is able to clear up the last remaining problems related to DTV, and the country will be able to focus on the benefit of DTV. The government already is selling space on the old analog spectrum to companies interested in using it, and that will continue throughout the rest of 2009.
Of course these TV stations had quite some time to prepare for the June 12 switch -- which already was delayed a few months -- yet some broadcasters and American TV viewers waited until the last minute to prepare for the DTV transition. Shortly after the transition, 30 percent of callers at the national FCC help center were discussing DTV issues, though that figure has dropped down to 20 percent.
"Fortunately, for the vast majority of stations, the transition has been successful, and consumers have realized the benefits of digital television," FCC media head Robert Ratcliffe said recently during an FCC meeting.
