Ion Moves HD Launch Date
Network Pushes High-Def Debut To March 16
John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 2/16/2009 8:17:34 PM MT
Saying it wanted to "reduce consumer confusion" surrounding Congress' decision to move the DTV hard date, Ion Media Networks announced that it was moving the launch of its Ion Television network in HD from today (Feb. 16), to March 16.
Ion was planning to launch HD in 20 markets where it has TV stations Feb. 16. Now, those same 20 will launch March 16, with the other 40 stations coming on board later in the year.
Ion's 40 other stations--it is the largest station owner in terms of number of outlets-are still going to make the transition to digital on Feb.17, but about two thirds of the nation's roughly 1,800 TV stations will be delaying pulling the plug on the analog version of their primary signal after the Obama administration asked, and Congress consented, to move the date.
That will give the government more time to set up call centers and get DTV-to-analog converter box coupons to viewers, though it will also create some confusion as viewers now have several analog cut-off dates to content with.
Network Pushes High-Def Debut To March 16
John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 2/16/2009 8:17:34 PM MT
Saying it wanted to "reduce consumer confusion" surrounding Congress' decision to move the DTV hard date, Ion Media Networks announced that it was moving the launch of its Ion Television network in HD from today (Feb. 16), to March 16.
Ion was planning to launch HD in 20 markets where it has TV stations Feb. 16. Now, those same 20 will launch March 16, with the other 40 stations coming on board later in the year.
Ion's 40 other stations--it is the largest station owner in terms of number of outlets-are still going to make the transition to digital on Feb.17, but about two thirds of the nation's roughly 1,800 TV stations will be delaying pulling the plug on the analog version of their primary signal after the Obama administration asked, and Congress consented, to move the date.
That will give the government more time to set up call centers and get DTV-to-analog converter box coupons to viewers, though it will also create some confusion as viewers now have several analog cut-off dates to content with.
