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Digital-Only TV Era Begins February 17

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By RICHARD MULLINS rmullins@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2008

With millions of U.S. households still unprepared for the switch to digital broadcast television, federal officials are crisscrossing the nation trying to drum up awareness of the change before the Feb. 17 deadline.

That's less than 100 days before broadcast TV stations fully switch to sending digital signals. After that date, any TV that's not connected to cable or satellite TV service will only show static on the screen.

Hispanic households are especially unprepared, according to TV industry data - one reason why Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps came through Tampa on Wednesday and met with local community groups.

More than 12 percent of Hispanic households have not made the switch to a digital TV, according to Nielsen data. (That compares with 5.7 percent for non-Hispanic households.) At the current rate of preparation, 10 percent still won't be ready by Feb. 17.

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