50% More Stations Than Expected Meet FCC's First Mandated DTV Deadline of May 1, 1999
MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 1999--Fifty percent more television stations than expected have begun broadcasting digital TV signals before the Federal Communications Commission May 1 deadline.
61 stations (see attached list) in 30 different broadcast markets have begun broadcasting digital TV signals, according to research by Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), the leading provider of television broadcast equipment. The stations are in markets ranging in size from New York - the largest market - to Jackson, Mississippi, the 90th television market in the United States.
The FCC had required that about 40 stations nationwide - those network affiliates in the top-10 markets - begin broadcasting digital TV. By November 1, 1999, about 130 stations in the top-30 markets are required to begin broadcasting digitally, as required by the FCC.
"We are very pleased with how the transition is going overall," said Bruce Allan, vice president and general manager, Harris Broadcast Communications Division. "Considering we only had a handful of stations on the air just a year ago, the industry has made great strides."
More than 20,000 digital televisions have been sold in the United States, and the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association expects 150,000 to be sold by the end of the year. All major television manufacturers are now offering digital sets.
The major networks are creating more programming as more stations come on-line. CBS has shown several NFL games in digital HDTV, as well as an episode of Chicago Hope and 48 Hours. ABC has shown a handful of movies, including 101 Dalmations, The Birdcage, and Forest Gump. NBC just recently began airing The Tonight Show in HDTV. HBO and the Discovery Channel are also showing HDTV programming. Additionally, Madison Square Garden Network has been showing Knicks' games in HDTV, and is carrying Yankees' games in HDTV as well.
Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) is an international communications equipment company focused on providing product, system, and service solutions that take its customers to the next level. The company provides a wide range of products and services for commercial and government communications markets such as wireless, broadcast, government systems, and network support. The company has sales and service facilities in 90 countries.
Editors' note: Harris Corporation executives are available for interviews to discuss this changeover, what it means to consumers, and any other issues involving DTV. Harris also has numerous DTV resources, including photos, a DTV guidebook, and b-roll video. For more information, contact Neal Stein at 407/727-9608 or nstein@harris.com. Additional information on Harris is also available on the Internet through our World Wide Web address: harris.com
Stations On-Air As Of May 1, 1999
Market Stations
New York (1) WCBS, WNYW
Los Angeles (2) KABC, KCBS, KNBC, KTLA, KCOP
Chicago (3) WFLD
Philadelphia (4) WPVI, KYW, WTXF, WCAU
San Francisco (5) KGO, KRON, KTVU, KPIX, KBHK
Boston (6) WCVB, WMUR, WHSH
Washington (7) WJLA, WUSA, WRC, WETA
Dallas (8) WFAA, KDFW, KXAS, KTVT
Detroit (9) WXYZ, WJBK, WWJ
Atlanta (10) WSB, WXIA, WGNX
Houston (11) KHOU
Seattle (12) KOMO, KCTS, KING
Cleveland (13) WMFD
Denver (18) KMGH
Pittsburgh (19) WTAE
Portland, OR (24) KOPB, KATU
Indianapolis (25) WTHR, WISH
Hartford/New Haven (27) WTNH
Charlotte, NC (28) WBTV
Raleigh, NC (29) WRAL
Cincinnati (29) WLWT, WKRC
Kansas City, MO (31) KCPT
Milwaukee (32) WMVS
Columbus, OH (34) WBNS
Harrisburg, PA (45) WITF
Honolulu (71) KITV, KMAU, KHVO
Spokane (73) KXLY
Madison, WI (84) WKOW
South Bend, IN (85) WNDU
Jackson, MS (90) WMPN
|
