Digital Television. I am not talking about HDTV. I am talking about the signal. Next year, broadcasts will stop coming through the air in analog signal and will be coming in digital. Feb 17th, 2009. Mark your calendars. Grey's Anatomy will go dark.

What does this mean....? Not much for most of the population who consume their TV through cable or satellite signals. This only affects those who still use the antenae that we all throw away when we bought our TV. Apparently there is some confusion over this analog to digital switch.

Who are these people who still use the "rabbit ears"? I don't want to stereotype, but in this case it might be fun. Think of all the people you suspect would have rabbit ears in their "homes" (er.. trailers) with foil caked on them.

- elderly (always confused).
- poor (commonly less educated, thus could get confused).
- non-english speaking ('nuff said).
- super cheap (cheap don't always mean dumb).

Anyway, the hubbub seems to be how the communication is getting to the general public. The message regarding what the digital switch is all about what you need to do is not getting through.

Simply put, you need a converter or use cable or satellite. Newer TV's have this digital converter built in (but elderly, poor, et al won't rush out to buy tv's). But how do we convey this to the rabbit ear populous?

The solution seems simple. Use network TV for Public service anouncements to explain it. Some of the PSA's they have now are pretty stupid and useless. Or put the message on the back of cigarette cartons, nascar weekly, or on cardboard cutouts at the liquor store.

Or better yet, instead of a tax rebate check how about buying every household a TV.