As you have heard countless times, the FCC’s deadline for the mandatory switch to digital television is February 17th, 2009. This will have large impacts for you as both a consumer of television and an employee in the advertising field.

What does this mean as a consumer? All over-the-air signals of television will be disrupted on February 18th, 2009. If you are watching any television in your home using only an antenna, your signal will be interrupted.

Your service WILL NOT be interrupted if:

• You have a television with a built-in digital tuner.

• You subscribe to cable, regardless of whether you have a set-top box, a cable running directly into your television or a cable-card.

• You subscribe to alternate-delivery systems.

If none of these three criteria apply to you, you will need to get a digital-converter box. They are available at most traditional retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and Best Buy for a one-time cost. In addition, the US Government is subsidizing the purchase of converter boxes with two $40 coupons per household. You can obtain these coupons at: https://www.dtv2009.gov. Another option is to buy a television with a built-in tuner or subscribe to cable.

What does this mean as an advertiser, agency or client? Due to the transition, Nielsen has decided not to release a February 2009 sweep book. However, daily overnights will continue to be available during this period.

How will this affect local market ratings? According to Nielsen, 89% of all US TV sets are ready for the digital transition. Los Angeles is behind the nation with only 86% of total TV sets ready. This means that if the digital transition started today, 14% of L.A. TV sets would not have access to any television. This wil affect the potential ratings and reach of over-the-air broadcast television.

We hope to arm you with this information to ensure that you are ready for the digital conversion as both a consumer and an employee in the entertainment field.

Adlink networks continue to garner critical acclaim. The 2008 Golden Globes nominations once again show that Adlink programming is among the best on TV:

DRAMA SERIES
Mad Men, AMC

ACTRESS, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife, USA

ACTOR, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Tony Shalhoub, Monk, USA

ACTRESS, DRAMA
January Jones, Mad Men, AMC
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer, TNT

ACTOR, DRAMA
John Hamm, Mad Men, AMC

NBA All-Star Game February 15

E! Red Carpet Coverage SAG Awards: Jan. 25 Grammy Awards: Feb. 8 Academy Awards: Feb. 22

Battlestar Galactica January 16

The Closer January 26

Kids' Choice Awards March 28

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 9 & 10

Damages January 7

Breaking Bad March 8

BET Honors February 9

Monk January 9