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RSSThe Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
By Tracy Turner, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
Jun. 26--Millions of people, many of them elderly and poor, are at risk of losing TV reception next year in the switch to digital broadcasting. To keep that from happening in central Ohio, WOSU-TV is asking for donations of government-issued converter-box coupons.
Consumers with older TV sets that rely on an antenna to receive analog broadcast signals will go dark Feb. 17 when broadcasters begin digital transmissions, unless steps aren't taken.
The National Association of Broadcasters estimates that 70 million sets are in danger of losing their picture; viewers most likely to be affected are the poor and elderly.
The federal government is offering 33.5 million coupons worth $40 each to help in the purchase of converter boxes that will allow those old TV sets to receive the digital signal. The boxes are available at electronics stores for $50 to $70. Each household can request two coupons.
WOSU is working with LifeCare Alliance and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging to ask consumers who don't need the coupons to request them anyway and donate them to the elderly and the poor.
An estimated 5,700 area seniors are in need of assistance to get the boxes, and it's estimated that that number will increase, said Chuck Gehring, LifeCare's president and chief executive.
"Seventy percent of our clients live on less than $600 per month, which means most of them simply cannot afford cable television and are in desperate need of the digital converter boxes," Gehring said. "The televisions in the homes of our clients provide not only an outside link to the world, but in some cases it is their world."
WOSU is using the donated coupons and money from the Columbus Foundation to buy converter boxes, which it then gives to the elderly, said Susan Meyer, a WOSU spokeswoman.
LifeCare Alliance and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging will distribute the boxes to their clients and help install them, Meyer said.
She said the station is involved because of its community-service mission.
"The folks that don't have the money to get new TVs or cable are those more likely to panic when the switch takes place," Meyer said. "There's confusion and anxiety about this in the community, and we thought we're in a strong position to stand up and help address that need.
"This is a big social issue," she said. "The ability to request a coupon as a way to help out your neighbor is something very easy that everyone can do."
Coupons can be dropped off or sent to Paula May, WOSU Public Media, 2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43210.
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