Analog TV blackouts part of FCC plan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. authorities say they're considering shutting down standard TV broadcasts for brief periods to publicize the transition to digital television in February.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said one strategy to alert those who still receive analog TV signals via "rabbit ear" antennas that they will become useless after Feb. 17, 2009, is to shut down such signals for 30 seconds to 60 seconds with a message telling viewers to call a toll-free number for information on the digital switchover, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

Martin said the brief analog shutdowns, or "soft tests," could be part of a nationwide tour the five FCC commissioners announced they would be making starting this month to publicize the coming of digital, over-the-air television. The commissioners announced Monday they will visit 80 regions between the end of August and February, the newspaper said.

Martin told reporters the commissioners will host town hall meetings and workshops in conjunction with local broadcasters and government officials to alert TV viewers.

The National Association of Broadcasters says 19.6 million U.S. homes watch television exclusively via over-the-air analog signals using indoor "rabbit ears" or outdoor rooftop antennas, the Tribune reported.