Comments on: DTV Readiness Update: 5.1% Of U.S. Households Still Unprepared

By: Marty

Marty — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:43:51 +0000

They could watch *analog* stations, although I understand that availability varies by region. I’ll have 14 analog stations still broadcasting, and that includes a couple analog repeaters of full power stations.

By: Nielsen Wire

Nielsen Wire — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:49:28 +0000

Nick,
Good Question
The first part is that all of these percentages are based on TV homes – not all homes. So we are actually saying that 4.4% of TV homes are unprepared.

There are some TV sets that are only used for watching DVDs or video tapes. And we do acknowledge that some of the homes that we classify as Completely Unready may never become ready – or care to become ready. That does not change the fact that pre-switch they are capable of receiving a broadcast signal and post-DTV switch they will be completely unable to do so.

In reality there are often people who claim they “never” watch TV, but might on rare occasion they might still tune to check on a breaking news story or storm watch or some such thing. They could never watch and even be in Nielsen samples representing people like them. (And since Nielsen hooks meters to DVDs, VCRs, video games, etc., we will still be able to track how they use the sets – even if they don’t watch “regular” TV – broadcast or cable.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:59:16 +0000

Are households who either do not have a television at all or do not use it to watch broadcast TV included in this percentage?

There probably aren’t 5 million Amish households, but including them in the percentage that are not “ready” for DTV would be rather disingenuous.

By: Marty

Marty — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:35:41 +0000

When is the next update going to be published? For effective dates, I see Jan 18….Feb 1 (released 2/5)….

Does that mean 2/15 is next, released 2/19??

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:22:30 +0000

Denise, Non-cable, non-satellite households are the only ones affected, so that is what the percentages represent. If you have cable and/or satellite connected to every TV in your home, you are prepared. If not, then you’re part of the percentages listed here.

By: Denise in PA

Denise in PA — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:49:12 +0000

It would be interesting to see how many of non-cable/non-satellite households are unprepared. I would like to see those percentages.

By: Jon House

Jon House — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:27:56 +0000

What is the % an indicator of? Is it # of people with no box and use antenna compared to total people with an antenna?

By: William Bryson - DTV

William Bryson - DTV — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:43:16 +0000

There will always those who are unprepared for transitions, and it’s easy to focus on the few who do nothing in preparation for change.

By: House Votes for DTV Delay « My Main Street News

House Votes for DTV Delay « My Main Street News — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:15:03 +0000

[...] months of preparation, the delay might be necessary. According to a Nielsen Company survey 6.5 Million Americans are not, or only partially, ready for the switchover. Disproportionally [...]

By: Nielsen Wire

Nielsen Wire — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:07:09 +0000

Suzanne,

Yes, that household would be considered “unready.” Once the converter is connected the status would change.