Comments on: NAB releases first digital deadline PSAs

By: Safran

Safran — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:50:42 +0000

You’re right, Hussman, you’re absolutely right. But the stuff that the NAB does put out has to be more direct than this. EVERYONE has to do better.

Good for you for going above and beyond. Let us know how it’s going.

By: Hussman

Hussman — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:37:23 +0000

Holy Crap you guys… the NAB can’t do everything for you. If TV stations aren’t doign Sweeps pieces in May and Nov of ‘08 to educate peopel, with follow-ups on their websites, then those TV statiosn deserve what they get.

I’ve started running the PSA, and have signed up to be a speaker on the DTV transition to local business and community groups, with materials provided by through DTVSpeak.com.

There is no need to make people panic right now. Wait a few months for that.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:57:57 +0000

This PSA cries out for crowd-sourcing. And there’s got to be a concerned citizen out there who can produce something better in iMovie and go viral. Why leave it up to the people who’s job it is to actually address the issue. (

By: Steve Safran

Steve Safran — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:02:53 +0000

The problem is not going to be the digerati. The problem will be the lower income folks who aren’t tech savvy. They’re not likely to be visiting the sites with information, and they’re not likely to know as much about the transition. All the more reason why these ads need to be, as Steve puts it, “Head On.”

By: Mike Escutia

Mike Escutia — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:35:01 +0000

Well, on the bright side, DTV Answers is a much better site than the FCC’s attempt (dtv dot gov).

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:24:00 +0000

Needs to take a cue from our favorite ad:

“Head On. Apply directly to the forehead.
Head On. Apply directly to the forehead.
Head On. Apply directly to the forehead.”

By: Steve Safran

Steve Safran — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:00:47 +0000

Exactly. This thing has CYA written all over it. You want to help people? It needs to scream “YOUR TELEVISIONS WON’T WORK ANYMORE ON THIS DATE!” The wording “Notice how digital’s made pretty much everything better?” is a lousy lead. It’s no lead at all. It doesn’t catch the ear and it’s a weak and dubious statement.

You want copy that people will actually remember? Copy that may have an impact, help stations and customers, and cut down on confusion? Follow this….

The lead: Your TV may stop working on February 17, 2009.
(Holy cow! Really? What do I need to do?)

The body: Here is what you need to do about it.
(OK, got it. But tell me again - why am I doing this?)

The close: Do this, or your TV may stop working on February 17, 2009.
(Oh right - that would suck.)

The last thing this campaign needs is subtlety.

By: tdc

tdc — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:29:28 +0000

“…, by law, …”

a ‘law’ no doubt written by the industry (much like the dmca) that will no doubt have unintended consequences that a yet-to-be thought of company will exploit.

goog often cites this when they are sued by what were absolute giants who are now .01% their size.

oh well!

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:22:45 +0000

Yawn. The PSA doesn’t do a good job because the TV industry is busy trying to blame the FCC and the rest of the gov’t. for their poor reaction and slow movement to transition to digital. If people lose their TV signals in early 2009, it’ll be the TV industry’s fault because they dragged their feet for 10+ years instead of kicking it in gear and getting converted early.

By: joe

joe — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:18:26 +0000

wow. i don’t think that psa does a good job of driving home the point that there is a deadline. it was very upbeat and slick. But, the PSAs need more gloom and doom in them. People need to know exactly what they need to do to get free tv or they’ll all switch to cable. what will your grandma do when she can’t watch the Wheel of Fortune?