Univision conducts first broadcast network analog shutoff test on Sabado Gigante.

Univision Communications Inc. announced they will conduct the first-ever broadcast network analog shutoff test in the country on Saturday, May 16th during “Sábado Gigante” (Giant Saturday) as part of the 30-day countdown to the upcoming transition to digital television (DTV). The test will occur between 9:30 – 10:00 pm ET/PT (8:30-9:00 pm Central) and will be conducted by the legendary host of “Sábado Gigante” Don Francisco, who has been at the forefront of Univision’s DTV education campaign.
 
“With less than 30 days until the DTV transition, Univision recognizes that we must leverage all of our platforms to ensure that Hispanic viewers take action,” said Cesar Conde, chief strategy officer and executive vice president, Univision Communications Inc.
 
As part of the 30-day countdown, Univision will be conducting a series of simultaneous, primetime analog shut-off tests airing on its two television networks, Univision and TeleFutura, and their 148 affiliated and owned stations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and will also participate in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) national shut off test on May 21st. The FCC test will allow viewers to check out the status of their TV signal in advance of the June 12th transition and will be conducted on multiple time slots during the day – 7:30 am, 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm ET (6:30 am, 11:30 am and 5:30 pm Central) – on both the Univision and TeleFutura networks.
 
In addition to the network-wide analog shutoff on May 16, TeleFutura will conduct a third national analog shutoff test during “La Tijera” (The Scissors) on Monday May 18th, between 6:00 – 7:00 pm ET (5:00 – 6:00 pm Central). Univision will conduct a fourth national analog shutoff test during its weekly award-winning primetime newsmagazine program “Aquí y Ahora” (Here and Now) on Tuesday, June 2nd, between 10:00 – 11:00 pm ET/PT (9:00 – 10:00 pm Central). And, TeleFutura will conduct a fifth national analog shutoff test during “Contacto Deportivo” (Sports Encounter) on Thursday, June 4th, between 11:00 and 11:30pm ET/PT (10:00 and 10:30pm Central).
 
On the last day of analog, Univision will air an extra hour of “Despiérta America” (Wake Up America), their #1 Spanish-language morning show, to bring viewers a special “analog farewell” edition. Additionally, all late local evening newscasts across the country will be one hour special editions to help viewers with the transition.
 
Univision also produced a fifth DTV special, “TV Digital…!Conteo Final!” (Digital TV: Final Countdown), hosted by network and local talent. The half-hour special will air in different markets (including Puerto Rico) throughout the next 30 days to help viewers determine if they are prepared for digital television. This is the first special where the Network joins forces with the local stations to deliver market specific information on DTV.
 
“TV Digital…!Conteo Final!” will feature Don Francisco reminding viewers about the upcoming transition date and providing three ways to prepare; Teresa Rodríguez, co-anchor for “Aquí y Ahora,” will provide the latest information on the coupon program; “Escándalo TV’s” (ShowBiz TV’s) colorful co-host Charytín will talk about the installation process for the converter box and the importance of rescanning; and Cristina Saralegui, the popular host of “El Show de Cristina,” will explain the sense of urgency involved in getting prepared for DTV. The “Escuadrón Digital” (Digital Squad) team, Carlos Calderón, Tony Dandrades and Lilia Luciano Rodríguez, will help viewers distinguish between analog and digital TV sets, provide details on antenna and converter box installation, and take viewers through the step-by-step process of buying a converter box with a coupon.
 
Network shows such as “El Gordo y La Flaca” (The Scoop and the Skinny), “Primer Impacto” (First Impact), “Sábado Gigante,” “República Deportiva” (Sports Republic), “Al Punto” (To the Point) and “Escándalo TV” will also have segments reminding viewers to prepare for the transition. These segments will continue until the date of the transition.
 
On a local level, Univision and TeleFutura television and radio stations across the country will include interviews with FCC representatives and Consumer Reports who will talk about DTV activities on local public affairs programs, local news segments, community calendars and customized public service announcements (PSA’s) with antenna information and reminding viewers of the need to re-scan featuring TV and radio personalities. The stations will also conduct analog shut off tests and will work with local organizations to help viewers with the transition.