Digital Television Transition: February 17, 2009
Are You Ready?

What Is The DTV Transition?

Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital TV (DTV) formats. After February 17, 2009, full-power TV stations will only broadcast in digital. The DTV transition will affect those who watch free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears”). If
you watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you must take action before February 17, 2009.

Why Are We Switching?

Federal law requires the switch, which will free up frequencies for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, allow broadcasters to offer programming with better picture and sound quality and offer more programming choices, and allow for commercial advanced wireless services.

What Should I Do To Be Ready?

You have three choices:

1) Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box. Digital-to-analog converter boxes will be in stores in 2008 and will have a one-time cost of $40-$70. To help consumers pay for the boxes, the U.S. Government will be offering two $40 coupons per household. You will be able to request the coupons beginning in January of 2008. For more information on the coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY). Your current broadcast antenna should work for digital broadcasts. Or

2) Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner). Remember that you do not need to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to enjoy digital broadcast television. Plus, your current broadcast antenna should work for digital broadcasts. Or

3) Subscribe to a paid TV service. If you subscribe to a paid service such as cable or satellite TV, you should contact your provider to see what, if any, equipment you may need. Remember that you will need a digital-to-analog converter box for any analog TV in your home not connected to your paid TV service.