Hoekstra Encourages TV Viewers to Prepare for All-Digital Television Conversion
Conversion to Occur on Feb. 17, 2009, Every Household Eligible for Two $40 Government Coupons for Converter Boxes
Washington,
Dec 19, 2008 -
After Feb. 17, 2009, full-powered television stations will broadcast in digital only. Those who watch free over-the-air television with a broadcast antenna and do not own a digital television will need a digital-to-analog converter box for analog TVs.
“The digital conversion is the most significant development in television technology since color was introduced in the 1950s,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. “Now is the time to become educated about the issue and determine whether a converter box is necessary.”
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.
The switch to all-digital broadcasting will free areas of broadcast spectrum for public safety communications such as police, fire departments and rescue squads. Other areas will be auctioned to companies that can provide consumers with more advanced wireless services, such as wireless broadband.
The federal government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program to help consumers with the DTV transition. 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.
For more information on the digital television transition, including the government coupon program for converter boxes, please visit www.dtv.gov or call 1-877-DTV-0908.
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