TV Worth Blogging
by David Thiel, Program Director for WILL-TV
An insider's view of public television programming and the issues that help determine what and how you watch
Cast Your Ballots!
Since 2000, WILL-TV has livened up its fundraising drive with a special night of comedy we call The Great Britcom Vote. For the tenth consecutive year, we'll directly ask our viewers which British comedy that they want to see air on WILL-TV in the future. It'll air live on Saturday, February 7 from 7:00 to 10:30 pm. Check out the candidates after the jump!
7:00 pm To the Manor Born
This venerable audience favorite was the winner of our very first Britcom Vote back in 2000. Penelope Keith stars as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, a widow forced out of her manor house after the death of her husband. She strikes a love-hate relationship with the new owner. (And you just know that love will win out in the end!)
7:40 pm Blackadder
For my money, the best season of Rowan Atkinson's time-hopping historical comedy is the second, in which the cunning Edmund Blackadder attempts to keep his head while in the court of a thoroughly mad Queen, played by Miranda Richardson.
8:20 pm One Foot in the Grave
The only one of this year's candidates which has never aired as a series on WILL-TV, this was one of the original contenders back in 2000. Will it find more favor this time? Richard Wilson plays the cantankerous Victor Meldrew in a series which was adapted for American TV as "Cosby" in the mid '90s.
9:00 pm Chef!
With arrogant chefs all over the TV dial these days, why not check back in with the funniest, Lenny Henry as Gareth Blackstock. Surely that "Hell's Kitchen" host took a lesson or two from Henry's perfectionist character.
9:45 pm Good Neighbors
Penelope Keith bookends the night with this other WILL-TV audience favorite. It also stars Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal as the Goods, whose back-to-nature ways don't set well with Keith's Margo Leadbetter.
Tune in Saturday, February 7 at 7:00 pm to sample these shows. When you call in with your pledge of financial support, we also invite you to cast your vote for the candidate you'd most like to see air on WILL-TV during our next fiscal year. We'll announce a winner at the end of the evening!
Delay Delayed
A bill intended to move the analog television mandatory shutoff date from February 17 to June 12 passed in the U.S. Senate but failed in the House. Submitted under special rules that disallowed amendments in exchange for requiring a two-thirds majority, it was blocked by Republicans in a 258-168 vote. However, this setback may only delay the delay.
TelevisionWeek reports that the Senate has passed a revised bill that will be considered by the House sometime next week. Meanwhile, all television broadcasters, including WILL-TV, are federally mandated to continue promoting the February 17 shutoff.
February 17 or Not February 17?
You've undoubtedly heard by now of the shutoff of analog television broadcasting scheduled to occur at midnight, February 17. However, you may also have heard of a potential delay in that date. Here's where things stand right now.
With less than four weeks to go until the planned analog TV shutoff on February 17, it is now looking likely that the move will be delayed until June 12. The change is prompted by a request from the Obama Administration in response to reports that the federal converter box coupon program has run out of money. Broadcasting & Cable magazine reports that nearly 1.5 million homes have been put on a waiting list until previously-issued coupons expire and free up the funds for new coupons to be issued. Meanwhile, a Nielsen survey estimates that 6.5 million homes are unready for the switch to digital-only TV broadcasting.
A delay, however, has implications for broadcasters, wireless providers and emergency responders. The latter two groups expected to receive abandoned analog spectrum beginning February 18, putting their plans on hold. Meanwhile, nine out of ten TV station managers interviewed by TelevisionWeek oppose a delay, citing additional costs incurred not only by keeping aging analog transmitters on the air longer than expected, but in engaging in a second public outreach and education campaign. For WILL-TV, a delay would likely mean a hold-up in originally announced plans to migrate the PBS World public affairs/documentary channel to digital 12.2, leaving 12.3 free to broadcast the Create how-to/travel stream 24 hours per day.
A House bill sponsored by California Democrat Henry Waxman is on hold, pending action on a similar Senate bill by West Virginia Democrat Jay Rockefeller. Republican opposition has delayed that latter measure being taken to the floor, but a vote could occur soon.
WILL-TV will keep you posted as we learn more about the situation. For now, we are still required by the Federal Communications Commission to promote the February 17 date. And we urge viewers not to delay in taking the steps necessary to complete their own digital transition. Even if a delay does occur, change IS coming, and the sooner you take action, the more secure you can feel.
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