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URGES TV VIEWERS TO GEAR UP FOR THE CONVERSION TO ALL-DIGITAL TELEVISION
After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only. In 1996, the
U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each
broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously
continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009,
would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. The switch from
analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition.
Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital.
February 2009 will be here sooner than we think. Now is the time for us all to get up to speed
on DTV: what is it; what does it mean to me; what do I need to do? We at [your organization]
encourage everyone to educate themselves on this important issue.
Digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is
much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one
analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp “high definition” (HD) digital
program or multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a
process called “multicasting.” Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels
of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one
analog program. So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only
able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer
viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third
digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers.
Further, DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog
technology.
An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the
valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire
departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies
that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless
broadband).
For viewers who have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air programming (with
a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important. A
digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free
over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. However, if you have an analog television,
you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on
that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming
that your local stations are offering.
To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog
Converter Box Coupon Program. The National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every
U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase
of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. You will be able to request the coupons beginning
in January of 2008. The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at
participating consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the time of
purchase. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). Manufacturers
estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-
time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit
the NTIA’s Web site at www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634
(TTY).
Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service
should not be affected by the February 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power analog
broadcasting, but should contact their provider to find out anything is needed to be prepared
for the February deadline.
There are many sources of information about the digital transition but one of the best is the
government’s Web site www.dtv.gov. It contains information on what DTV is, questions
consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what programs are available in
DTV, and much more. You can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC
More for cable users.
After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only. In 1996, the
U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each
broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously
continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009,
would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. The switch from
analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition.
Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital.
February 2009 will be here sooner than we think. Now is the time for us all to get up to speed
on DTV: what is it; what does it mean to me; what do I need to do? We at [your organization]
encourage everyone to educate themselves on this important issue.
Digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is
much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one
analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp “high definition” (HD) digital
program or multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a
process called “multicasting.” Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels
of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one
analog program. So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only
able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer
viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third
digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers.
Further, DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog
technology.
An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the
valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire
departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies
that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless
broadband).
For viewers who have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air programming (with
a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important. A
digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free
over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. However, if you have an analog television,
you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on
that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming
that your local stations are offering.
To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog
Converter Box Coupon Program. The National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every
U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase
of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. You will be able to request the coupons beginning
in January of 2008. The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at
participating consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the time of
purchase. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). Manufacturers
estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-
time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit
the NTIA’s Web site at www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634
(TTY).
Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service
should not be affected by the February 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power analog
broadcasting, but should contact their provider to find out anything is needed to be prepared
for the February deadline.
There are many sources of information about the digital transition but one of the best is the
government’s Web site www.dtv.gov. It contains information on what DTV is, questions
consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what programs are available in
DTV, and much more. You can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC
More for cable users.
