CEA: Digital TVs Now In 50 Percent of Homes
The big transition is set in roughly 13 months.
By Swanni
“I am proud to announce our nation has hit this digital milestone,” CEA CEO Gary Shapiro said in a statement. “With 50% of U.S. homes able to experience the reality of digital television, we have crossed a critical threshold.”
The milestone is significant because all local broadcasters must switch their analog signals to digital on February 17, 2009.
On that date, viewers will need a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV subscription to watch television.
Still, surveys show that millions of Americans are still unaware of the transition, causing lawmakers to express concern that some will lose their TV signals on the big day. The industry is expected to increase their educational efforts next year.
The CEA reports that the Digital TV transition has certainly helped the industry, with TV manufacturers showing an 11 percent increase in revenue this year.
The industry trade group says revenue should rise 13 percent in 2008, the final year before the transition.
“2008 will continue to demonstrate the growth and success of DTV, with nearly 32 million units forecasted to ship. Consumers are particularly keen to add HDTV to their homes, with High-Definition expected to account for 79% of total DTV shipments in the United States in 2008," Shapiro said.
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Swanni (Phillip Swann) is
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