Understanding users and the digital TV transition

This isn’t a traditional Human Factors problem per se. It’s more of a sociological issue, but it involves people and technology, so I will write about it.

In February of 2009, the analog television signals that get sent over-the-air to people with rabbit ear antennas will be shut off. In their place will be digital signals that will require a new TV or a converter box to receive. Anyone with cable or satellite television will not be affected.

Who will be affected? Well, that’s the problem. Anyone who is getting their TV via old-fashioned rabbit ears will need to do something. The government needs to get information into the hands of these people. But what is the typical profile of someone who is still using rabbit ears? They may live in rural areas, are more likely to be older, and are probably not technologically savvy.

From an article in the Washington Post:

Many of the older TVs belong to seniors and low-income individuals — populations that are typically harder to reach to educate about technical change. Yet these groups are also the people who most rely on their TVs for critical information such as news reports and public-service alerts. In nursing homes and retirement communities, where many sets need antennas to pick up signals, TVs could flicker out.

This is a human factors problem in that the technology is in place, but many of the people who will be affected by the new technology are not ready. The focus now falls on understanding something about the users - that they are not technologically savvy. Ads on TV may work fairly well, but directing people to the Internet will not be a good idea. Apparently, Britain spent a lot of resources hiring people to go door-to-door to inform people of the transition. Not in the least bit high-tech, but likely to be very effective. A non-technocal solution to a problem caused by technology - neat.