WGCU-TV giving viewers more time to get ready for DTV

WGCU TV is delaying the shutdown of its analog transmitter to coincide with the new June 12, digital television transition date.

Although some of the commercial television stations in the Fort Myers/Naples area have announced that they will shut off their analog signal in February, WGCU (the local provider of PBS programming) is giving its viewers a few more months to get ready for the analog shut off.

Rick Johnson, general manager of WGCU Public Media, pointed to the public television audience in announcing his decision,

"Those segments of the population that are less likely to be DTV ready — children in disadvantaged households, the elderly, and those who receive their television signals through over-the-air antennas — are a significant and important segment of the WGCU viewing audience," Mr. Johnson said.

The federal government's decision to postpone the nationwide DTV conversion is, in part, because of the delay many have had in receiving a government issued $40 coupon to use to purchase a converter box.

"With the delay many have experienced in getting a converter box coupon, we know that some of our over-the-air viewers are not ready for us to turn off the analog signal." Mr. Johnson said. "We want to ensure that those viewers are able to continue to receive the best that public television has to offer through the new transition date."

WGCU will continue to broadcast DTV transition informational spots and programs. The station is also operating a DTV Hotline at 590-2501 to answer viewers' questions.