In preparation for the full digitalization of terrestrial broadcasting in 2011, the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan (NAB) and public broadcaster NHK have joined forces to produce a mini program to be broadcast on NHK and 127 stations across Japan, including NTV, on July 4th (Sunday).

This unprecedented program, of which the production will be headed by NTV, will simultaneously broadcast differing analog and digital contents to promote the switchover to digital broadcasting.

Summary of Mini PR Program
Program Title: "Is Your House Ready for Digital?" Broadcast Date/Time: July 4, 2010, 5:59PM - 6:00PM (concurrent nationwide) Digital switchover mascot "Chidejika" and announcers representing NHK and five commercial TV broadcasters are scheduled to be part of the program.

Purpose
Less than a year remains before analog broadcasting comes to an end and if people wait until the last minute, there is a possibility that the antenna installation may not be completed in time.
By creating a program that will simultaneously broadcast differing contents on analog and digital, families viewing this "test" program will become aware of what the future of television will be like after July 24, 2011 when digital terrestrial broadcasting will commence.

Analog broadcast viewers will see a post-analog switch off television screen of a "sandstorm-like" image while a warning bell sounds to call upon the viewers to promptly make the switch to digital. Digital broadcast viewers will be asked to switch their secondary television set to digital as soon as possible.