Big Island News: Hawai’i Broadcast TV Stations to Go All-Digital on Jan 15

Hawai’i stations will cease analog broadcasting on January 15, 2009, one month before the rest of the country, according to the Hawai`i Association of Broadcasters (HAB).



The Hawai`i Association of Broadcasters announced that all full power (broadcast) television stations in Hawai’i will make the transition to digital television (DTV) one month before the nationwide transition to DTV on February 17, 2009.



The full-power broadcasters serving the Hawai’i television market have voluntarily agreed to cease regular analog broadcasts at noon on January 15, 2009. Beginning at 12:00 Noon on January 15, 2009, Hawai`i’s full power stations will broadcast only digital signals to their viewers in Hawai’i County, Maui County and the City and County of Honolulu.



Kaua’i County is served by low-power translators and will not make the transition to DTV on that date. Televisions connected to cable, satellite, or other pay services are not affected by the transition and will continue to receive programs after January 15, 2009.



“Hawai’i’s early transition was prompted by consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where they recommended that Hawai’i broadcasters deconstruct their present Maui analog facilities prior to mid-February to avoid the Hawaiian petrel breeding season in that area,” said Mike Rosenberg, President & GM of KITV.



“The early transition to DTV has the support and attention of Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Hawai`i Association of Broadcasters and its member stations in a focused effort to educate the public about the transition,” said Chris Leonard, President of the Hawai`i Association of Broadcasters.



Hawai`i will also serve as a model for the rest of nation as the rest of the nation makes the transition to digital TV in February, Leonard added.

“I am pleased that Hawai’i’s broadcasters have volunteered to lead the nation in the transition from analog to digital television,” said Senator Inouye. “The prospect of digital television is exciting and I am delighted that ours will be the first state to realize its benefits.



The senator said the digital transition will bring consumers better pictures with sharper sound while at the same time freeing up new airwaves to improve communications for our emergency first responders. He asked that the community help each other to prepare for the transition.



“If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who relies on over-the-air television, and may need some assistance with obtaining converter boxes or connecting the boxes to the television in their home, please reach out to them and offer your help, “ said Senator Inouye.



Education efforts over the airwaves will send viewers looking for more information to the Web site www.HawaiiGoesDigital.com , and the FCC’s toll free number 1-888-CALL-FCC.



Efforts will also be focused on promoting the federal government’s converter box coupon program, which thus far has had a relatively low take-up rate in Hawai’i. Viewers can request up to two $40 coupons that can be used toward the purchase of a converter boxes by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 or online at www.dtv2009.gov .



For more information about Hawai’i’s early switch to digital, contact Chris Leonard at or , Mike Rosenberg at or or Mary Diamond at or .