Martin,

TV is one of those things many people get very passionate over. For me personally, I pretty much stopped watching television several years ago and now average perhaps 4 hours a month (except soccer games!). But for many people, it's a daily thing so it is important.

That being said, you and I both know that with any kind of RF broadcasting there are lots and lots of variables. Digital's "cliff effect" nature is just one of them. As you know, many stations also moved towers, some operate and different power now. Some are higher then they were and need "tilt" now. And the list goes on and on and on.

The other big hidden issue is that of the low percentage of households that rely on OTA coverage, a large percentage of those (especially in the eastern corridor) rely on indoor atennaes. That will likely have to change.

Here is a link that maps the coverage before and after for Philidelphia.

http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/maps_report1/Philadelphia_PA.pdf

As you will see, some specific areas do lose coverage on some channels. They also gain coverage they didn't have before. And overall more people gain than lose on more stations. Every market will be different, but this kind of change is typical from everything I've studied (was my job for a while).

Change is the operative word. It's never easy and yes there will be winners and losers. But overall this change is a positive one; and one I think history will judge as neccessary.

Hope this helps,