For Immediate Release
4-H Teams with NET Television to Help Nebraska Residents Switch to Digital

LINCOLN, Neb. (Dec. 17, 2008) -- NET Television is teaming with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H to launch a new statewide effort to help communities prepare for the national television broadcasting switch to digital in February 2009.

Nebraska 4-H will be pulling together teams of youth throughout the state to help their communities prepare for the DTV transition. The 4-H DTV teams will be available to visit local senior centers, clubs or other organizations to help share information, such as helping to determine if someone needs a converter box, how to order the free coupons, the importance of re-scanning or other questions about the transition.

"We are excited about this new partnership and young people being involved in a pro-active educational effort," said Kathleen Lodl, Assistant Dean for UNL Extension. "This opportunity will allow young people to give back to their community and learn more about the technology involved in the process from NET engineers. It's a win-win situation."

On Feb. 17, 2009, all full power television stations will switch from broadcasting in analog to digital. Due to work crew scheduling, NET Television has made the early switch to digital at five of its nine transmitters in the state including much of western Nebraska and should complete the sixth in December. The final three (KYNE/Omaha, KLNE/Lexington and KHNE/Hastings) will convert to digital-only on Feb. 17, 2009. After the change, analog televisions that use rooftop and "rabbit ears" antennas to receive a signal will not work without a converter box, which translates the new signal. In order to help people prepare for the change, the government is providing free coupons to offset the cost of purchasing converter boxes.

"We are pleased to form this partnership with 4-H to help inform Nebraska residents about the digital transition," said Terry Dugas, Manager of Content Distribution for NET Television. "We want all Nebraskans to be ready for the transition and we feel partnering with the youth in Nebraska will be an important step."

The 4-H teams will begin contacting citizens in their communities throughout Nebraska starting in January of 2009.

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NET Television Contact: Terry Dugas, 402-472-9333, ext. 757, or e-mail at tdugas@netNebraska.org
RELEASE WRITTEN BY: Brian Reetz, 402-472-9333, ext. 297, or e-mail at breetz@nebNebraska.org

NET Television:

NET1 is Nebraska's first public television broadcast service and includes PBS and award-winning, locally produced public television programming; NET2 offers live coverage of the Nebraska Unicameral and other news, public affairs, history and science programs; NET3 is a 24-hour channel featuring the most popular how-to, travel and lifestyle series; and NET-HD presents high-definition digital broadcast programming displayed in a wide-screen format.

About Nebraska 4-H:

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H is the Cooperative Extension System's dynamic, nonformal, educational program for today's young people. The program partners the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state and local governments, 4-H Foundations, and the Cooperative State Research, Educational and Extension Service of the US Department of Agriculture. Nebraska 4-H is comprised of youth, ages 5-19, and adults. All partners are working across the country to assist youth in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to become productive and contributing members of society.

For details about 4-H's involvement with this project, click here!