On February 17, 2009, analog TV broadcasting will cease in the United States, and TV stations will broadcast only digital signals.  Here are the key points you need to know about the transition:

• America is switching to digital television (DTV) because it offers improved television pictures and sound, and is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog.  (Importantly, it also frees up spectrum for public safety uses.)
• The benefits of digital broadcasting are remarkable. DTV provides crystal clear pictures and sound, and it offers high-definition broadcasting for consumers with HD-capable TV sets.  
• DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple programs simultaneously – called "multicasting" – instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. 
• Despite the advantages of the move to digital, many consumers do not know that the transition to digital will be completed in 2009. This transition will directly impact the 20 million households that rely exclusively on free broadcast television in their homes, as well as homes that subscribe to cable but may have TVs that receive only over-the-air signals.  Hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other facilities with TV sets will also be affected. 

• NO, you don't have to toss out your old TV set!  There are three ways you can transition to digital: 

• Congress has appropriated $1.5 billion to fund a digital-to-analog converter box coupon program. The program is being administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA).  (See link below.) 

• As of January 1, 2008, households may request up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, to go toward the purchase of a converter box. Coupons will be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service starting in late February or early March 2008 (when the converter boxes start to arrive on store shelves), and consumers will have 90 days to redeem them.  To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) - TTY 1-877-530-2634.

• Converter boxes are available for purchase at consumer electronics retailers at an estimated price of $40 to $70. 

• Who is affected?

                       Ø     19.6 million households that rely exclusively on free broadcast television.

• Digital broadcasts are already available.  Today, more than 1,600 television stations nationwide, or over 92% of full power stations, are already broadcasting using digital transmission.