In February of 2009, television will undergo its biggest change since color was introduced in the 1950s. Will you be ready?
Effective February 17, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all over-the-air broadcasting be converted to digital format. What does this mean, who will be affected and will I still be able to see my "must see tv" are all 
questions being asked by television junkies around the country.
What does this mean?
The switch from analog to digital broadcast is commonly referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each station so that they could begin broadcasting simultaneously in digital and analog formats. Congress later mandated the February 2009 transition to digital broadcast only.
Why Are We Switching?
Federal law requires the switch, which will reallocate analog frequencies for public safety services such as police, fire and emergency rescue communications. The transition will also allow broadcasters to offer programming with increased picture and sound quality, offer additional programming choices and allow for commercial advanced wireless services.
Will My Analog TV Still Receive Free Over-The-Air Broadcasts
Yes, your analog TV will still receive free over-the-air broadcasts as long as you use a digital-to-analog converter box. Digital-to-analog converter boxes are currently available in retail stores and have a one-time retail cost ranging between $40-$70. To help pay for the converters, the federal government is offering two $40 coupons per household. For more information on the coupons, visit www.DTV2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
What Do I Need To Be Ready For The DTV Transition?
To prepare yourself for the upcoming DTV transition, you have three basic choices:
- Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box.
- Buy a digital TV (a TV with a built-in digital tuner)
- Subscribe to a paid TV service such as cable or satellite TV.
For More Information
For more information, please visit the Federal Communications Commission's Digital TV Transition Web site, call 1-888-CALL-FCC or e-mail DTVinfo@fcc.gov.
