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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAG1993-0577 - Other - Broadcast Transition to Digital Television (DTV) - 07/02/2008 Comcast Comcast Cable ® 15815 25th Ave.West Lynnwood,WA 98087 r July 2, Vk� /d�� 2008 � � ' Brenda Jacober City Clerk City of Kent 220 Fourth Ave S Kent,WA 98032 Re: Broadcast Transition to Digital Television(DTV) Dear Ms.Jacober: In 1996 Congress mandated that as of February 17, 2009, all TV broadcast stations (such as ABC, CBS,NBC,Fox, PBS and Univision)must cease their analog broadcast transmissions and begin broadcasting exclusively in a digital format. The federal government is reclaiming the analog broadcast signals and will use some of the spectrum to enhance communications for emergency services and to allow for more broadcast services. This means that if a television viewer's analog television set is not connected to cable or satellite,but instead receives over-the-air TV signals with the help of rabbit ears or an antenna, it will stop receiving local broadcast signals as of February 17, 2009. While Comcast customers are unaffected by this transition, Comcast is working with the National Cable and Telecommunications Association(NCTA),FCC, local broadcasters and others to reach all cable customers and millions of non-cable viewers with useful information about the transition. Informational public service announcements are airing on cable and broadcast channels in both English and Spanish and local broadcasters are running informational crawls across the bottom of the TV screen during prime time. In addition,the NCTA's Get Ready for Digital TV campaign has an extensive presence on the Web at www.ncta.com,www.getreadyfordigitalty. com and www.preparateparatvdigital.com, and links are available directing users to other government, consumer and industry websites that provide useful consumer information about the transition. Educational messages and reminders about the transition will be sent to Comcast customers through monthly statements on cable bills throughout 2008, and information about the transition will be distributed at community and public events. To ensure you have the information you need to educate your constituents, I've enclosed the following Preparing for the Broadcast Digital Transition materials: 1. Broadcast DTV Talking Points to help you and your colleagues get up to speed on the DTV transition 2. DTV Q&A for Elected Officials 3. Sample Constituent Letter We welcome the opportunity to assist your efforts in being a valuable source of information for your community on this issue. Please contact me at(253) 288-7496 or terry_davis@cable.comcast.com if you have questions, need additional information, or would like me to attend an informational meeting. Cordially, Terry Davis Director,Franchising and Government Affairs Preparing for Broadcast Digital Transition. • • DTV O&A for Elected Officials The broadcast digital transition is the government mandated What is the broadcast Digital TV transition of analog broadcast TV signals to digital.Analog (DTV)transition? broadcasts will end February 17,2009.All broadcast TV signals will then be digital. This is a transition that has been mandated by the Federal government. The government is reclaiming the analog broadcast Why are we switching to DTV? signals. Some of the spectrum will be used to enhance communications for emergency services providers, like fire and police departments and allow for more broadband services. Who does this transition impact? Consumers with analog TV sets that function with rabbit ears or outside antenna only. If your TV is connected to cable or another video service provider you are all set-your TV will continue to work. If you are a cable customer but have some TV's in your house that use rabbit ears connect those TVs to cable. What do I need to do to be ready for If you only use a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears to get your the end of analog TV broadcasting? TV signals, you need to make a choice. You can: -Buy digital-to-analog converters to use with your current TV(s). -Buy a new digital TV -Subscribe to cable, or another video service provider. A lot of digital TVs have labels that say"Integrated Digital Tuner," "Digital Tuner Built-In," "Digital Receiver,"or How do I know if 1 already have "Digital Tuner," "DTV," "ATSC," or"HDTV" (High Definition a digital TV(DTV)? television). If your TV has any of those labels, you should be ok and not need a digital-to-analog converter box. No,you have several options, you can: -Purchase a digital converter to use with your current If i have an older analog television,will 1 have TV(s). Go to www.dtv.gov for retailer information. to throw it away after February 17, 20M? -Purchase a new digital TV(still requires an antenna) -Or you can subscribe to cable, or another video service. Do all new TVs being sold have built-in No. Some retailers still carry older analog TV sets.They are required to post notices about TVs that won't work after the digital tuners? digital transition. How can 1 make sure that when I buy When you are buying a new TV, look for Digital TV as part of the TVs description. Less expensive TV sets may say a new TV, it will receive digital signals? Standard Definition Digital TV. Preparing for the Broadcast Digital Transition. somcast. DTV O&A for Elected Officials (cont.) . Probably not. Most rooftop antennas will pick up DTV Will 1 need a new antenna? signals. If you just use rabbit ears you may or may not be able to pick up the digital signal. (More information at www. antennaweb.org.) You may request a government issued coupon to purchase How do I get a digital-to-analog converter? a converter box at a certified retailer. Go to www.dtv.org for information. How much will converters cost? ; The converters are expected to be priced between $50 and$70. Are there other ways to make my old . Yes.You may subscribe to cable or another video service. TV set work? Do I have to wait until after February 17,2W9 . No, DTV is available now. The FCC's special website, www.dtv.gov, has more information on digital television, to watch DTV? or call 1-888-225-5322(fTY: 1-888-835-5322). If I want a new TV,will 1 have to buy a High No.The broadcast DTV transition is switching from analog Definition TV(HDTV)to watch digital broad- to a digital signal on any TV The transition is not related to g high definition. High-definition is a type of digital signal that cast television after the transition? requires a high definition TV. What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, and gaming console?Will I be able to use Yes.VCRs, DVD players,camcorders, video games, etc. g g will work on digital TV sets. them with a digital television set? Preparing for Broadcast Digital Transition. • • Broadcast Digital Transition Helpful Links The Digital Transition Coalition The National Cable and The Digital Television Transition Coalition comprises Telecommunications Assn.'s business, trade and industry groups as well as DTV Website grassroots and membership organizations. The core www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com mission of the Digital Television Transition Coalition is to ensure no consumer is left without broadcast 202-222-2300 television due to a lack of information about the Transition. www.dtvtransition.org The National Association 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) of Broadcasters' DTV Website www.dtvanswers.com 202-429-5300 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The FCC's Digital Television Transition website www.dtv.gov 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) The U. S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) The NTIA, a department of the federal government, is administering the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program), as authorized in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. www.ntiadtv.gov 866-296-1107 Information on the NTIA's Converter Box Coupon Program and Application Forms for Coupons. www.dtv2009.gov 1-800-DTV-2009 Preparing for Broadcast Digital Transition. • • Broadcast Digital Television ("DTV") Transition Talking Points In 1996 Congress mandated that all over the air broadcast stations must cease broadcasting in "analog"format, return to the government the spectrum (i.e.,space on the airwaves)they have been using for analog broadcasting, and begin broadcasting exclusively in digital format. The date for this so-called"DTV Transition" is February 17th,2009. As of that date, no full powered TV station in the United States will broadcast in analog format. The DTV Transition is being driven by the Federal Government's desire to reclaim valuable spectrum that the broadcasters have been using and auctioning it off for public service and commercial mobile uses. If your analog TV is hooked up to cable or another video service,your ability to watch local broadcast TV signals will not be impacted. Comcast is committed to help educate consumers about the upcoming changes, how it may affect their TV service, and what options are available if they need to do something. If your analog television set is not connected to cable and receives a picture with the help of"rabbit ears"or a rooftop antenna, it will stop receiving signals on February 17,2009. You need to do something. In order to keep receiving broadcast signals for their analog TVs, consumers have three choices. They can: 1. Purchase digital converter boxes to use with their current TV's($40.00 Government issued coupons are available by visiting www.DTV.gov) Note: coupons are available on a first-come,first-served basis. 2. Purchase a new digital TV 3. Connect your analog TV to the service provided by your local cable company or another video service provider Congress is helping to offset the cost to consumers of this transition. It has directed the U.S. Department of Commerce to set up a$1.513 coupon program to subsidize purchase of digital-to-analog converters that will allow analog TVs that are NOT connected to cable or other video service providers to continue to receive over-theair broadcast signals. The Government's DTV coupon program allows each household to apply for two coupons for a$40 discount off the price of a digital-to-analog converter, which is expected to retail for$40 to$70.These coupons will be good for 90 days from the time of receipt and can be used at electronics retail stores. There are two ways you can request vouchers. 1.Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009(1- 888-388-2009), or 2.visit this website: https://www.dtv2009.gov/. Please stay tuned for the more information in the coming months. The websites listed below provide additional helpful information regarding the DTV Transition. - http://www.dtvanswers.com/ - www.dtv.gov - www.dtvtransition.org - www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com Sample Constituent Letter Dear X: Thank you for taking the time to write me concerning the impending "Broadcast Digital Television (DTV)Transition." Congress mandated that as of February 17, 2009 all TV broadcast stations (such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and Univision) must begin broadcasting exclusively in digital format. In short, if your analog television set is not connected to cable or another video service, but instead receives "over- the-air"TV signals with the help of"rabbit ears" or an antenna it will stop receiving local broadcast TV signals as of February 17, 2009. In order to keep receiving over-the-air broadcast signals for your analog TV you will need to do one of the following: o Purchase a"digital-to-analog converter box"to use with each of your current TVs (Federal government coupons to subsidize the purchase of converters are available at www.dtv2009.org); o Purchase a new digital TV (if you will still rely on rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna); or o Connect your analog TV to the service provided by your local cable company or another video service provider If you are unsure whether your TV is "analog" or"digital," look for a label that says "Integrated Digital Tuner,""Digital Tuner Built-In," "Digital Receiver," or"Digital Tuner," "DTV," "ATSC," or"HDTV" (High Definition television). If your TV has any of those labels, you should be OK and not need to take any other action If you do not subscribe to cable and would like to continue to use your analog TV, you will need to purchase a digital- to-analog converter. The federal government is helping to offset the cost of these converters by providing discount coupons. The coupon program launched on January 1, 2008. Each household may apply for up to two coupons, each of which provides a$40 discount off the price of a digital-to-analog converter. These converters are expected to retail for$40 to$70. These coupons will be good for 90 days from the time of receipt and can be used at popular retail electronics stores. There are two ways you can request vouchers: (1) Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline at 1- 888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), or(2) Visit this website:https://www.dtv2009.gov/. If you're a cable customer, the broadcast DTV transition does not impact you as long as your TVs are all connected to the cable system. However if you have any TVs that are not connected to cable, will need to contact your cable provider to arrange for an additional outlet. For more information on the broadcast DTV transition, you may find the following websites to be helpful: • http://www.dtvanswers.com/ • www.dtv.gov • www.dtvtransition.org • www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me. Please know that I am committed to helping you understand the upcoming DTV Transition, how it may affect your TV service, and what options are available. Sincerely, • Cable's Offeri %, Elections base the Way '®8 For Politicians to Advertise In the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, Comcast Spotlight accounted for a 28% share of the spot TV dollars spent in that market for the primary season. And that's just the beginning... 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'In New Hampshire, 82%of all political spots DailyTech is a leading online magazine for a well-educated, leading up to the primary ran on spot cable,' tech audience. according to Dan Sinagoga, director of political advertising sales for Comcast Spotlight,the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable." TV Week January 13,2008 For more information contact Debbie Christensen at 206.216.4088/Debbie_Christensen@cable.comcast.com or visit seattle.com casts pot Iig ht.com Seattle comcast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S Pb T L I G H T. Ccomcast, fact sheet Washington Customer Service Overview Comcast strives to provide the very best customer service by regularly monitoring phone calls to ensure service quality. The company employs an independent auditor to survey customers on their experiences and provide detailed monthly reports which highlight areas in need of improvement. Since acquiring AT&T Broadband's Washington systems in late 2002, Comcast has moved all customer service functions in house, hired more than 350 additional customer service representatives, re-opened local cable stores to give customers the option of meeting with a company representative face to face, implemented weekend and evening appointment windows and opened a third call center. Comcast's Washington customer service operations rank among the very best of all Comcast markets and are considered a model for the rest of the company. Local Three state-of-the-art call centers in Fife, Everett and Lynnwood handle virtually all calls made by Washington customers. All three centers operate as one virtual call center. Customer calls can be seamlessly routed among the centers in the event of an emergency. The Everett call center handles all technical support for Comcast's video cable television services. The Fife call center handles all billing, collection, sales and retention calls. The Lynnwood call center provides technical support for Comcast's high-speed Internet and local phone services. In addition, the center is the location of Comcast's Washington market headquarters. Employees 1,000 customer service representatives, supervisors and administrators, located in our three centers are dedicated to providing the best customer service possible. Standards Comcast consistently meets all National Cable and Telecommunications Association standards, including arriving to service appointments on time and answering 90 percent of all calls within 30 seconds. In addition, the company consistently meets customer service standards set by local cities. Ccomcast fact sheet Washington Market overview Comcast is the largest provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services in Washington. Comcast acquired AT&T Broadband's Washington cable properties in November 2002. The company oversees more than 21,000 miles of coaxial cable lines and 3,300 miles of fiber lines in Washington. Comcast maintains 179 franchises, serving 131 communities in Washington. Among them are: Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Bremerton, Everett, Bellingham, Olympia, Spokane and Aberdeen. In addition, Comcast's Portland market serves Vancouver and the surrounding area in southeast Washington. products Cable television and digital cable—more than 250 channels available. ON DEMAND—video on demand service receives nearly 20 million views a month. HDTV—more than 500 high definition choices available at any one time. Digital Video Recorders—includes unique feature of recording programs in HD. High-speed Internet service—available throughout Washington. Comcast Digital Voice—local, residential phone service available throughout Washington. customers 1.2 million cable television customers. employees 3,000 including 1,000 local customer service representatives based in Fife, Everett and Lynnwood..