The Growing Popularity of Free Local TV in Salem

A surprising number of residents get their TV from an antenna-just like in the old days. Here are some details on free television in a soft economy.

Learn more, visit: KWVT Salem

(SALEM, Ore.) - We at KWVT 17.1 & KSLM 27.1 here in Salem have had several people call asking for more information and instead of contacting each we have decided to post this information to all.

In reference to GAO-05-258T, a testimony before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, from that testimony we have pulled some important excerpts.

There seems to be some misunderstanding of who is watching over the air television broadcasting- so we hope this helps, putting a point on people in the Willamette valley, and how important this media is now and in a time of emergency.

In terms of households that reply EXCLUSIVELY on over the air broadcasting for their news, information and TV entertainment, the figure is 19%.

When talking about cable households, it is important to note that not all TV’s are connected to cable in these homes; 17% of those households have at least one television among their average of 2.7 TV’s, in the home that is not connected to cable but instead receives only over-the-air television signals.

Regarding DBS (Direct Satellite Broadcasting) Households, about 33% of DSB households have at least one of their 2.7 TV’s, that is not hooked to their DBS dish and only receives over-the-air television signals.

To add to this a study by Informa Telecom & Media, Global Digital Television 9th Edition, October 2009; that over-the-air only homes in the U.S. will increase by 36% between now and by 2014, approximately 59% of all homes will have at least one TV set that relies on over-the-air signals.

Again if you need more information please fell free to contact us: KWVT Salem

Source:

gao.gov/new.items/d05258t.pdf

tvnewscheck.com/articles/2010/01/19/daily.2/

See also - finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110122/you-dont-have-to-pay-for-cable-TV?mod=series-a-article

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Ken Lewetag is the General Manager of Salem's broadcast television stations KWVT 17.1 and KSLM Retro TV 27.1. Ken is the Chair of the Emergency Alert System Capitol Operational Area