Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry


So, even though they don't have to transition until June, many of the television networks will be going digital today. One of our local public channels even has a countdown going on... at 11:59 and 30 seconds pm anyone who has a TV with an analog signal (rabbit ears) will forever not be able to watch their programming. Only those who have "transitioned" to digital - either by purchasing a new TV, subscribing to cable, or buying a converter box - will be able to watch TV. So, are you ready? Or are you going to be left in the dark... (doom, doom...doom, doom)
We use rabbit ears to get our TV channels. Since we live in a large city, we are able to receive all of the major networks, 2 different public stations, and a handful of other channels. And we are "not ready" for the switch. At least, according to the media. Over the last few months, as the news anchors and sponsored commercials have been counting down the days until my screen turns to snow, I've actually laughed. It's just kinda funny to me to think that life might be over if I actually have to experience even one day without a TV signal. Maybe I won't even be able to breathe... AAAGGHHH!!
I'm sure at some point we'll get a converter. But we're not jumping just 'cause the government says to jump. We'll get it when we're ready to. And when our TV signal turns off, we might just actually start being intentional about what we watch. We might go to the library and check out movies we've been wanting to see but just haven't found the time for yet because we've been zoning out in front of whatever happens to be on. We might try some of those free RedBox codes. And please don't even tell me we won't know what's going on in this world. As if all of the news we hear is from the TV! Um, hello, everyone knows there's other ways to know what's going on... And to tell the truth, we haven't actually watched the news on TV in the last week anyway. Plus, now many sporting events are streamed live over the internet - and the ones that aren't, well, that's just a good excuse to go on a date to Smokey Bones (hint, hint). I've always wanted my kids to watch the good ol' cartoons like Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Superman, Popeye - and now on Saturday mornings, they can because they won't be busy watching My Friend Rabbit. And when we eventually do transition, in our own time, they can go back to watching Jane and the Dragon and be the richer for it.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The ony thing i would add is that we found it nice to get a free $40 off cupon from the gov. all i had to do was call sure beats paying $60 for a converter box.

Liz said...

Yeah, and also check the drugstores for good sales that combined w/ the gov. coupon would make it free. I know Rite Aid a month or 2 ago had them on sale for $40.
Although I hear that now you have to get on a waiting list for a coupon, so good luck...

Kirby and Annie said...

The waiting list is because they only have so much money allotted to pay for the coupons. People request the coupons, so the money has to be there to pay for them. That's why they put an expiration on the coupons. A lot of people request the coupons, but then forget to use them -- but the money stays tied up until the coupon expires. So the waiting list right now is because of that. As coupons expire and aren't used, new coupons will become available.