KHBS-KHOG Airing Monthly DTV Tests

Hearst-Argyle-owned KHBS-KHOG, Channels 40/29, the ABC affiliates serving the Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Ark., TV market (DMA 102), have launched an aggressive effort to help ensure area viewers aren't caught off-guard by the analog television shutoff scheduled for Feb. 17, 2009.

While several TV stations around the country have run simulated analog shutoffs, KHBS-KHOG are running simulated shut-offs during each newscast on the 17th of each month, up until the actual shutdown in February.

During the demonstrations, the stations momentarily to show unequipped analog viewers "snow" with the message, "You are NOT ready for Digital TV."  About 8-10 percent of households in the Fort Smith-Fayetteville market are over-the-air only viewers who will need the digital-to-analog converter box, according to the stations.

"We want to make this switch as smooth as possible for our viewers by helping them get prepared and by keeping them informed," said KHBS-KHOG President-General Manager Jim Prestwood.

"Immediately after the simulated shutoff is a good time to explain what people need to do to get ready," Prestwood added. "And we thought doing it on the 17th of every month will help everyone see the test. This is a big change for television, and we feel the more equipped everyone is before February, the better." Prestwood noted that the stations received numerous e-mails and phone calls from viewers thanking KHBS-KHOG for running the initial test in June. "Those who missed the first demonstrations appreciate that they will have an opportunity to see it in the coming months," he added.