NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: September 4, 2008 Clyde Ensslin, 202-418-0506 clyde.ensslin@fcc.gov FCC TO HOST DIGITAL TELEVISON TRANSITION EVENT IN WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 Local Broadcasters to Transition to Digital Monday at 12 Noon Washington D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission will host a press conference on the digital television transition and early switch by local broadcasters on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Thalian Hall, located at 310 Chestnut Street in Wilmington, N.C. The event will mark the digital transition for broadcasters in the five-county Wilmington television market next week. The FCC continues to monitor hurricane forecasts and may decide to postpone the Wilmington transition should the expected weather conditions worsen. NOTE: The FCC expects that any decision to postpone would be announced and posted at www.fcc.gov no later than 2pm on Sunday, September 7. WHO: FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps NTIA Acting Administrator Meredith Baker Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo NAB President and CEO David Rehr Vice President & General Manager of WECT (NBC) Gary McNair WHEN: Monday, September 8, 2008 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. WHERE: Thalian Hall 310 Chestnut Street Historic Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina Directions: http://www.thalianhall.com/map.htm WHY: The early digital switch in Wilmington will help assist the FCC and the nation to identify any issues that may need to be addressed prior the nationwide digital television transition on February 17, 2009. * Hank Price (President of the N.C. Broadcasters Assn.) will serve as Master of Ceremonies. -FCC-