That's according to an article by Multichannel News.
On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local stations must switch their analog signals to digital which means viewers will need a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV subscription to watch television.
Congressional leaders and industry analysts have expressed concern that millions of consumers will not be ready for the transition due to various reasons including insufficient educational programs.
Viewers who receive their signals via off-air antennas are considered most susceptible to blackouts on the transition day because they will need to buy digital converter boxes to continue watching TV.
Nielsen's report will likely heighten concerns about the switch. The company says only 78 percent of U.S. households are 'completely ready' for the switchover.
In addition to the 9.4 percent described as 'not ready' -- meaning they don't have TV sets equipped to get digital signals -- another 12.6 percent are only 'partially ready,' meaning they have some sets that are not equipped.
Nielsen said it would delay its February 2009 sweeps ratings until March, anticipating problems with the transition, Multichannel News reports.
The ratings company said African-American and Hispanic households are most unprepared for the digital switchover.
“In terms of ethnicity, Hispanic households would be most impacted if the DTV transition occurred today,” Nielsen said, according to Multichannel News. “Although they make up 11.3 percent of the total U.S., Hispanic households currently make up 19.9 percent of completely unready households.”
Nielsen said 16.3 percent of black households are not ready for the transition.
Milwaukee was cited as the city with the most 'unprepared' households with 18.3 percent. Hartford-New Haven was the lowest with 3.1 percent.
Comment on this article!
_______________________________________________________
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
______________________________________________________
Phillip Swann is
president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in
dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox
News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The
Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The
Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV
technology.