The Federal Communications Commission is intensifying its nationwide push to increase public awareness about next year’s transition to digital television (DTV) on Feb. 17. As part of the initiative, FCC commissioners will crisscross the nation to hold public events within TV markets in which more than 100,000 households — or at least 15 percent of the households — rely solely on over-the-air TV signals.

“As part of our efforts to prepare consumers for the transition, we have identified television markets in which the largest number of viewers will have to take action to be prepared for the transition six months from now,” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said.

A Dramatic Improvement

One of the main points the commissioners will address during the road tour is explaining to consumers that the transition is not just about enhancing their entertainment horizons. The move to DTV is expected to improve communications amoung public-safety officials in times

of crisis, such as a terrorist attack or a natural catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, noted Commissioner Deborah Tate earlier that month.

“The spectrum that broadcasters will give back as they transition from analog to digital broadcasting will allow for true interoperability within all segments of our public-safety community,” Tate explained.

Nationwide, consumer awareness of the DTV transition is hovering at 90 percent, with awareness only marginally lower in individual states such as West Virginia (85 percent), Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Mississippi (87 percent). Still, the FCC is taking steps to ensure that minority groups, which tend to overly depend on over-the-air broadcasts, are not overlooked.

The television industry’s ongoing push to educate consumers has already made major advances in raising awareness among one key population segment. A recent poll conducted by the National organization of Broadcasters (NAB) found that 88 percent of Hispanic households were…

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