HispanicBusiness

People in nearly three million American homes will lose their ability to watch television on Friday, according to a report put out by Nielsen Media Research.

The highly anticipated switch to digital television occurs tomorrow. About 2.5 percent of the television market is not prepared for the conversion, according to Nielsen. About 5.1 percent of black homes are not prepared to make switch, while about 4.3 Hispanic homes are ill-prepared.

And this is one area where the older generation appears to have a technological edge over the Generation Xers. About 4.6 percent of households with residents under 35 years of age aren't ready, while only 1.3 percent of seniors over 55 are unprepared.

Essentially, households that use TVs with antennae only will be shut out. If you are viewer who is connected to satellite, cable or have a converter box, the switch will be unnoticed.

The government ordered all broadcasters to convert to digital signals from analog.

According to DTV.gov, here's why the federal government is making the switch.

The switch to DTV will offer a host of important public benefits, to include:
-- Freeing up parts of the broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (police/fire/rescue).
-- Allowing some of the spectrum to be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).
-- Allowing stations to offer improved picture and surround sound (enhanced audio).
--Expanding programming choices for viewers. For example, a broadcaster will be able to offer multiple digital programs simultaneously (multicasting).
-- Providing interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.