Switch to Digital TV May Affect your Television

Changes affecting your television are coming soon.

On February 17, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission will require America’s broadcast television stations to turn off their analog signals and only transmit digital signals. While this change will bring many benefits, you may have to purchase a converter box to make your television compatible with a digital signal.

Digital signals will enable television stations to carry more content and provide a sharper picture. In addition, this change will increase broadcasting capabilities for high-speed wireless Internet access, educational programming, and public safety communications (including police, fire departments, and rescue squads).

However, millions of televisions nationwide that are not compatible with the new digital technology will require converter boxes. If you have an older TV, generally one manufactured prior to 1998, and you use an antenna to pick up local stations, you will need a digital converter box to change the digital signals to an analog picture. To help cover the cost of the box, each American household is now eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each. To apply for coupons, go to https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx or call 1-888-388-2009.

For more information about whether your television is compatible for the switch on February 17, 2009, call 1-888-225-5322, go to http://www.dtv.gov/ on the Internet, or contact your local broadcast television stations.

Sincerely,