Television

Ignorance is bliss in some situations, but not when it comes to understanding the facts about the transition to digital television (DTV). With only four days to go until the switch, the Federal Communications Commission wants to ensure that consumers know what it takes to get ready for the switch on June 12. Here’s what consumers should know ……

The White House issued a statement by the President encouraging those who rely on over-the-air broadcasts as their only means of receiving a television signal to take advantage of all the assistance the government is providing to help them switch to digital programming. The statement also reinforced that there will be no further delay in the nationwide transition to digital television, which will occur on June 12.

New research from Knowledge Networks shows that the transition to digital television has directly impacted media technology in one out of four (26%) U.S. TV households during the past year, as people invest in new TV sets and/or services to prepare for the June 12th changeover.

3.1 million or 2.7% of U.S. TV households remain completely unready for the transition to all digital broadcast that will take place on June 12, 2009. That is an improvement more than 200,000 households in two weeks with just over two weeks until the transition.

MTV Tr3s announced a new programming slate.

Discovery en Español announced an Upfront slate of programming that capitalizes on a content strategy that resonates with viewers and advertisers alike.

At its second upfront, the two-year old V-me staked its claim as one of the leading Hispanic TV broadcast networks in the U.S. During the upfront event held at New York City’s Samsung Experience, the network showcased its highly-desirable viewers, its 2009-2010 programming mix of smart, engaging entertainment and its rapidly growing distribution.

Telemundo Communications Group unveiled its 2009-2010 original programming season at a press conference held at The Modern in New York City. The new programming announcement was made by Don Browne, President, Telemundo; Jacqueline Hernández, Chief Operating Officer, Telemundo; Mike Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Network Sales and Marketing and Adriana Ibañez, Senior Vice President of Programming.

Univision Communications Inc announced a robust programming line-up for Univision, TeleFutura and Galavisión in the 2009-2010 season. The new programming slate includes the exclusive Spanish-language broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in high definition, novelas, and reality shows.

ESPN Deportes enters the 2009-2010 “Upfront” season with record ratings, continued focus on featuring the best sportscasters in the industry and serving fans via its multimedia platforms offerings. The network announced a series of initiatives at the company’s Upfront, highlighted by the addition of legendary sportscaster Jorge Ramos to the company’s television commentator team.

Fox Sports en Español unveiled an array of exciting developments, including new original programming, rights to prestigious sporting event properties, and new and customized ways to get advertisers’ brands in front of the consumer, during its Upfront event at Manhattan’s famed Cipriani. Twelve years after launching as the first Spanish-language sports network in the U.S., the network announced that in 2010, a World Cup Year, it will have over 1500 hours of live and premiere soccer matches, which is more than any one, and almost more than all, Spanish-language networks combined.

With only three weeks left until the nationwide digital television (DTV) transition on June 12, many local broadcasters will be participating in coordinated DTV “soft tests” today Thursday 5/21/2009. These tests are designed to alert analog viewers who are unprepared for the impending transition that they will lose service once the transition occurs unless they act promptly to get ready.