What You Need to Know About the Digital Television Transition

(Programa de Cupones Para Caja Convertidora - En Español)

WHAT IS IT? TV stations across the country are going to change the way they broadcast their signals. From now on, they will broadcast only in "digital."
The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition.

WHAT IS THE DTV DELAY ACT? Congress recently passed the DTV Delay Act, which extends the deadline for full-power broadcast TV stations to complete the DTV transition from February 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009. The new law allows more time for consumers to be prepared for the DTV transition. However, Congress did not require stations to continue broadcasting in analog after February 17th, and stations may choose to complete their transition, and stop broadcasting in analog, before June 12th. Read more (pdf).

WHY? In 1996, 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. By having TV stations broadcast in digital, not only will the technology be more efficient, broadcasters will use less of the airwaves. That means once the DTV transition is completed, some channels will be turned over to fire and police departments for emergency communication and others are being auctioned to companies to provide new wireless services.

WHEN IS THE SWITCH? February 17, 2009

WHO DOES IT AFFECT? Anyone using a TV with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV.

HOW DO I SWITCH? You will need a special converter box. By using a digital-to-analog converter box you can continue watching broadcast television on that set. This box will allow you to view any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering. If you own a digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner), you do not need a converter.

HOW DO YOU PURCHASE THE CONVERTER BOX? 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. 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. Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes cost between $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). The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers the coupon program.

WHAT ABOUT GLENDALE 11? Glendale 11 is currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. After February 17, 2009, Glendale 11 will be like all other TV stations and broadcast only in digital.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE? www.dtv2009.gov