Digital TV Will Reach 19 Of 20 TV Homes By 2002.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced that more than two-thirds of all commercial television stations (68.2 percent) expect to have a digital signal on the air before May 1, 2002.

A census of stations conducted by NAB in recent weeks found that more than 19 of 20 (95.8 percent) of the nation’s television homes would be in markets served by at least one digital signal by that date. The results of the census were submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today.

“By next May, nearly as many American households will be in the range of broadcast DTV as they are of analog television,” said NAB President and CEO Eddie Fritts. “Our government needs to address how to get those homes connected to DTV on the receiving end.”

The NAB study found that many of the stations that do not expect to meet the deadline anticipate being on the air in digital within months of it. Fritts said many of these stations are “in the pipeline” awaiting delivery of equipment. Fritts also acknowledged that some stations in smaller markets are facing economic issues that will hinder their transition to DTV. “We believe that economic realities of smaller markets and the stations that serve them should be given prompt attention. Smaller communities may need special consideration but should not be left behind.

“Broadcasters know that the digital transition is all about reaching and empowering consumers,” Fritts said. “If digital signals are in markets accounting for 19 of 20 households by next May, consumers will need access to sets that can tune them and cable service that delivers them. We challenge the other players to work together to get those 19 of 20 homes connected to DTV on the receiving end.”

The complete study submitted to the FCC is available from NAB at http://www.nab.org/newsroom.