The digital television switch from analog TV may offer rich opportunities to millions who still remain unprepared, for whatever reason, to explore new ways to spend their free time. Did your mother ever turn off the TV when you were "cerebellum-deep" into an afternoon program? As a result, you probably went outside to play, explore, bond with friends, and grow, in ways that the living room floor just didn't offer. How you used that free time allowed you the opportunity to find yourself. Many who are left "in the dark" this June 13th may actually become "enlightened" for the experience. They will seek other forms of entertainment for the short term, until they cave in and spend the money, and I imagine some will never completely make the switch. They may find contentment in finding themselves; they might even find each other. Television advertisers, having reportedly suffered major sales declines for the first quarter of 2009, may need to keep a watchful eye on our entertainment trends in the coming weeks. Although I doubt we will all be huddled next to our radios, playing board games, we may see a spike in such things as internet usage (including internet TV), magazine subscriptions, book sales, box-office sales, DVD rentals, restaurant sales, exercise equipment, fresh food purchasing, and, yes, even automobile sales! The DTV switch will also, undoubtedly, majorly boost TV sales, perhaps not as soon as advertisers would like, but it certainly offers them, as well, a rich opportunity to explore new ways to "spend" their "free time". Perhaps they will "find" themselves while they are watching us.
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