Now that the De-facto Digital Phaseout has begun, what about plans after the total switchover?

[Jkid]

All the discussion about digital television is mostly about converter boxes and the glorious picture and sound. Occasionally they'll talk about the more channels you'll get with digital television. Problem is that they met most of the hype. Not every program has switchover to HD or digital widescreen yet, and the broadcasts are during primetime and/or on newscasts. But that's for another thread.

They keep promoting the subchannels, but the subchannels in most places (unless you live in Los Angeles or New York City), is either old programs you can watch on DVD (RTV), bowdlerized movies (THIStv), or weather radars that you can get from the internet. Broadcasters promised when they'll get the digital spectrum they'll use the subchannels for local news, sports, programing, public affairs, and children's programing. Now we're getting closer to the total conversion, all I'm seeing is general crap. PBS is doing a better job and is taking advantage of the subchannels, but they're of use if anyone is watching them.

Pathetic isn't. I bet within one year we will still be in this same situation.

And what about interactive television, we'll never going to get the same roubust service as digital teletext as in the UK.

[elocs]

1. I love my better picture and I love my subchannels, including 3 PBS channels.

In my city PBS is the only full power station that is running analog with programming. I imagine there will be people watching PBS that never really have before. The ABC station is a nightlight only broadcasting their evening news and a how to get digital program in English and Spanish over and over (no LOST here tonight for analog people). CBS and FOX are also now only digital. I have no complaints about any of the subchannels because I always can find something to watch and with free over the air tv, the price is right.

[AndyTiedye]

2. The "Digital Divide" Has Come to TV

Digital signals don't make it over hills or through trees.

If millions of people turn on their sets and see this:


Will they do this: or this: http://vwt.d2g.com:8081/vwt.jpg

[Jkid]

3. They'll probally complain

But the tv networks will probably tell them to bend over and subscribe to cable/satellite(with over 100 channels of general entertainment, sport, and reality channels they don't want to watch), if cable or satellite is available in their area.

Because in some areas of the US (the sticks/boonies), both cable and satellite services are unavailable.