Univision Schedules Show on DTV Transition

Spanish-language broadcaster Univision next month will air the first in a series of public-service programs entitled, “TV Digital Que Tal?,” which means “Digital TV … What is it?,” informing viewers on the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico about the digital transition in 2009.

A co-production of the Univision broadcast network and its TV-station group, the program will explain the benefits of digital broadcasting. It will also explain how viewers will need to obtain a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to use their analog television sets and how a digital-to-analog converter box can be obtained.

The half-hour special is scheduled to run Dec. 1, at 4:30 p.m.

Hosted by network personalities Fernando Arau and Carmen Dominicci, the special will explain the difference between the current analog and upcoming digital systems. The show will also detail the government’s program to issue coupons to help subsidize the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Also appearing in the special are Spanish-language television icon and host of Univision’s hit show Sabado Gigante [Giant Saturday] Don Francisco, and Carlos Calderon, host of the cable network Galavision’s hit interactive-music show Acceso Maximo [All Access].

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, as well as Carmen Scanlon of the Federal Communications Commission will also be featured in the public-service show.

Univision Communications’ operations include the Univision broadcast network; the Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 62 stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; and Galavision, the Spanish-language cable network.