By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin says the FCC is succeeding in expanding the number of people who are aware of the upcoming transition from analog to digital television.
Martin was in town Thursday speaking to seniors about Wilmington's transition to digital next month.
Most of the audience said they had either cable or satellite TV, which means they're equipped for the transition. It's viewers who still tune into over-the-air broadcasts who will need a special converter box to get a picture.
Seniors make up a bulk of those viewers, and a new survey finds nearly 25% of seniors don't know about the switch.
But Martin says most of the country is getting the message.
"You know about a year ago a lot of surveys were indicating that it was closer to 30 - 35% of people they understood the transition was occurring. Now we're talking about it's closer to 80% of people on average are aware of the transition."
Wilmington broadcasters will switch off their analog signals at noon on September 8th. The rest of the country will make the transition February 17th.
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