The digital television (DTV) transition refers to the
switch from analog to digital broadcast television. By June 12, 2009, all
full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting
in analog, and will continue broadcasting in digital only. Your local
broadcasters may make the transition before then, and some already have. So
be ready. The DTV transition has many benefits. It will free up frequencies
for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, provide frequencies
for advanced wireless services, and allow TV broadcast stations to offer
more programming with better picture and sound quality.
If you have an analog television that receives free
over-the-air programming with a broadcast antenna (such as “rabbit ears” on
your set or an antenna on your roof), you will need to purchase a
digital-to-analog converter box in order to watch digital broadcast
television. Each U.S. household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons to be
used toward the purchase of two digital-to-analog converter boxes. (Please
note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing. For more
information on the Coupon Program, visit
www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).)
If you subscribe to satellite TV (also known as “Direct
Broadcast Satellite” or “DBS”) and your TVs receive local television stations
through your satellite dish, these TVs are already prepared for the DTV
transition. However, if you do not receive local broadcast stations through
your satellite dish, you may be receiving them with a broadcast antenna, such
as rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna. You should check with your satellite TV
provider to find out if you can receive local broadcast stations through your
satellite dish. If you cannot, or if you choose not to subscribe to a package
that provides the local stations through your dish, you may need a
digital-to-analog converter box to view digital broadcast programming on an
analog TV. You also should check with your provider to find out if satellite
TV set-top boxes are available that include a digital broadcast tuner. You may
be able to rent or purchase these from your provider, or you may be able to
purchase them from an electronics retailer. If your satellite TV set-top box
has a digital broadcast tuner, you should not need a separate
digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcast programming on an
analog TV.
For more information about the DTV transition, go to
www.dtv.gov or contact the FCC by e-mailing
dtvinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC
(1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing
1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
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Federal Communications Commission · Consumer
& Governmental Affairs Bureau · 445 12th St. S.W. ·
Washington, DC 20554 |
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) ·
TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · Fax: 1-866-418-0232 · www.fcc.gov/cgb/
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