Satellite : Wilmington Makes DTV Switch

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The switch to digital TV in the Wilmington, N.C., market encountered some obstacles, but most of those involved with the single market DTV transition said the change to all-digital broadcasting was a smooth operation.

One station, NBC affiliate WECT, admitted there were a few challenges. "As expected, there are some glitches and we know at least a few of our viewers are struggling to see our signal," the station said. "Fixing those problems is the gritty work of this transition, but the switch also comes with celebration."

At Noon Eastern Monday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin and Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo flipped the ceremonial switch at an event in the North Carolina town. At that moment, several Wilmington stations stopped analog broadcasting and switched to digital.

In addition to WECT, those stations are WWAY (ABC), WSFX (FOX), WILM (CBS) and W51CW (Trinity Broadcasting).

To address any lingering issues, the FCC recruited organizations in five counties in the Wilmington area that have volunteered to assist consumers with the switch. The groups and agencies include fire departments, police departments, family and senior support institutions, community college representatives and churches.

Also, analog signals are presenting a text message informing people how to get converter boxes. Officials expect the slate to be up for about a month.

The Wilmington transition has been set up to gauge viewer and broadcaster readiness for the larger Feb. 17, 2009, transition. That bigger transition is 161 days away from today (Sept. 9).