The Digital TV (DTV) Transition:

Currently, broadcast stations in all US markets are broadcasting in analog and digital, but Congress has mandated that February 17, 2009 is the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. These stations will be broadcasting in digital only.

Why are we switching to DTV?

With all-digital broadcasting, portions of the broadcast spectrum will now be available for public safety (police and fire departments) communications. In addition, other parts of the spectrum will be sold to companies that can offer consumers advanced wireless services. Consumers will also benefit by digital broadcasting’s improved picture and sound quality. And, with digital broadcasting, stations can offer multi-casting: several channels of high definition (HD) or standard definition digital programming, using the same amount of spectrum needed for one analog program. This translates to more programming choices for television viewers.

What do I need to do in preparation of February 17, 2009?

If you have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air programming (with a roof top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV) you may need some equipment.

If your TV has an internal digital tuner, this will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming, after February 17, 2009.

However, an analog television set will need a digital-to-analog converter box, in order for you to continue receiving broadcast television on that set. You also will need this converter box to watch any multicast programming that your local stations offer.

The Government has established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program administered by The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Every U.S. household is eligible to receive (up to) two $40 coupons toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes. In January of 2008, the NTIA started accepting applications for these coupons. The coupons must be used at the time of purchase and may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating electronics retailers. The digital-to-analog converter boxes generally sell from $40 to $70 each. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

Will I have to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television?

No. The DTV transition is a transition from analog to digital broadcasting. It is not a transition from analog to High Definition (HD) broadcasting. Digital broadcast television includes Standard Definition (SD) and HD formats. Although digital broadcasting accommodates HD broadcasts, you will not need to buy an HDTV to watch digital TV. An SD DTV (a TV with an internal digital tuner), or an analog TV with a digital-to-analog converter box is all that you’ll need to watch over-the-air broadcast television. You can watch HD programming on an SD DTV (or on an analog TV hooked to a digital-to-analog converter box), but you will not have full High Definition quality.