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ETV Moves Forward with Digital Switch on Feb. 17

Updated Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

For Immediate Release
February 4, 2009

On Tuesday, Feb. 17 at midnight, ETV will turn off its analog transmitters and will begin broadcasting solely in a digital format.

"The decision to move forward with this switch was not an easy one and was given a great deal of thought and care," said Rob Schaller, director of Communications for ETV. "We considered many factors, including the impact that this might have on our many loyal viewers throughout the state. However, in the end, we believe this decision will allow ETV to better focus its resources, thereby strengthening its ability to serve the educational needs of our citizens."

Since Congress set the Feb. 17 deadline in Dec. 2005, ETV has worked diligently to build out each of its 11 transmitter towers in order to meet this deadline. It has also conducted a lengthy public awareness campaign to help our viewers prepare, including a nationally-recognized DTV Web site, special programming on ETV and ETV Radio, and the most up-to-date information included in ETV's e-newsletters and in the SCENE member's magazine.

By shutting off ETV's 11 analog transmitters, ETV will save almost $35,000 per month in electrical costs. This figure does not include maintenance costs to keep the aging transmitters up and running. Additionally, these substantial cost-savings had already been factored into the budget for the current year, and does not allow ETV the option to wait until June.

The educational programming delivered directly to schools, universities, and other public service agencies will not be affected.

Individuals who have cable or satellite service will not be affected by the switch, as their service provider will make the switch for them. Individuals who own a digital television or an analog-to-digital converter box--and are not connected to a cable or satellite provider--will need to "re-scan" their receiver or converter box when they turn on their television for the first time on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in order to receive ETV's signal. This is due to technical changes ETV is making on its digital stations, including a channel number change at WITV in Charleston.

For those who receive their ETV signal "over-the-air" using an indoor or outdoor antenna with their analog television, and will be affected by this switch, ETV is providing the following services to assist them in making the transition as easy as possible:

• ETV has created a digital television Web site (www.myetv.org/dtv) which gives in-depth information about the digital television switch. The site, which was praised by the nationally recognized information portal "About.com," also provides a place where viewers can ask their own questions to ETV's engineering staff.

• ETV will be opening a call center specifically to answer questions about the digital transition. The phone number for the call center is (888) 326-8842, and it will open on Monday, Feb. 16 from 8:30a.m. - 5 p.m. The hours will expand to 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The call center will remain open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. on an as-needed basis in the days to follow.

• On Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.—with less than one week left before ETV's transition to digital broadcasting--ETV's "The Big Picture" will have a special episode all about DTV, how the Congressional delay to June 12 will impact citizens nationwide, and of course, our viewers. Two of the guests for that evening are:
• David Crouch, President and CEO of ETV
• Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS

• Then on Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m., the companion program, "The Big Picture on the Radio" will feature approximately 40-minutes of time for listeners to call in and ask their questions to Hap Griffin, ETV's VP of Engineering. Griffin has been at the center of ETV's digital transition efforts, working for the past 10 years to make sure that ETV was ready, and is now here to help make sure ETV viewers are ready. Folks can also ask their questions by going to ETV's DTV Web site at www.myetv.org/dtv. "The Big Picture on the Radio" can be heard on ETV Radio's NPR News formats.

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

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For more information, contact Rob Schaller at (803) 737-6556 or rschaller@scetv.org.