  What Is The Digital TV (DTV) Transition?
Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both
analog and digital TV formats. After February 17, 2009, full –power TV
stations will broadcast only 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 Broadcast Stations Switching to Digital?
Federal law requires the switch, which will free up the airwaves 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 advanced wireless services for consumers.
What Should I Do to Be Ready?
You have three choices:
 Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box.
Digital-to-analog converter boxes are in stores and have a one-time cost of
$40-$70. To help you pay for the boxes, the U.S. Government is offering two
$40 coupons per household. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90
days after mailing). For more information on the coupons, visit
www.DTV2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
Plus, you should not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on
analog channels 2-51 with your existing antenna. Or
 Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner).
You do not need a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital
broadcast television. You only need a digital TV (or an analog TV
connected to a digital-to-analog converter box). Plus, you should not need a
new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with
your existing antenna. Or
 Subscribe to a paid TV service.
If your TV set receives local broadcast stations through a paid provider
such as cable or satellite TV, it is already prepared for the DTV
transition. Cable companies are not required to transition or switch
any of their channels to digital. However, if you have an analog TV that
does not receive local broadcast stations through your paid provider,
you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcasts
on that TV.
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