Wisconsin Public Television gets DTV grant

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: WPT gets grant for digital transition outreach : Jeff Richgels — 1/17/2009 11:18 am : ------------------------------------------ : Wisconsin Public Television is one of a dozen grassroots organizations and local agencies that have received grants from the Federal Communications Commission to help viewers prepare for the digital transition. : Broadcast TV stations are scheduled to end analog broadcasting and switch to all digital at midnight on Feb. 17, although President-elect : Barack Obama is among those pressing for a delay in the transition. : Those without a subscription TV service like cable, satellite or U-verse and an old analog TV must have a converter box to continue receiving broadcast TV signals after the transition. : The FCC announced that it awarded Wisconsin Public Television $94,613 for efforts to provide statewide community outreach events such as informational Q&A presentations about the DTV transition and work with state and local service organizations to reach out to citizens looking for help with installing and using their converter boxes. : WPT also will provide a telephone help line to answer consumer questions about DTV and troubleshoot converter installation issues. : WPT will specifically target hard to reach rural and minority populations, such as Hispanics and Hmong immigrant communities. : In all, the FCC's grants announced this month are worth up to $8.4 million. : The FCC said in a news release that it sought proposals to conduct outreach in all parts of the country, with a particular focus on the 82 markets with the highest over-the-air TV populations. : In particular, the FCC selected organizations dedicated to serving populations most at risk in the digital transition, including senior citizens, people with disabilities and Spanish-speaking households. : Specifically, the FCC sought the assistance of local, regional and national organizations with converter box procurement and installation, establishment and staffing of local call centers, educating consumers about the transition and other local grass roots efforts. : The other grants are detailed in the FCC press release. : : (The Capital Times)

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