The Digital Television Transition - February 17, 2009
At midnight on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, major television stations will stop analog broadcasting and begin broadcasting digitally. This is called the digital television transition, or DTV transition
My office is here to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Please consult the information below and if you have additional questions, EMAIL ME or contact one of my state offices.
Why is this transition necessary?
Two reasons. First, Congress mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting in order to make communication frequencies, currently used to transmit analog television, available for public safety communications such as police, fire and emergency rescue.
Second, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams. A digital signal allows broadcasters to offer additional channels and expanded local programming, with new channels devoted to regional news, weather and content for non-English speakers.
What law mandated the change?
In 2005, Congress passed the Digital Television Transmission and Public Safety Act (DTV Act) as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The DTV Act directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require full-power or large television stations to cease analog broadcasting and to broadcast solely digital transmissions after February 17, 2009. As a result, on or around this date, consumers with traditional analog televisions will not be able to watch free, over-the-air television unless they modify their television or obtain a degital-ready set.
What kind of television do you have?
There are two kinds of televisions, digital and analog. Only digital televisions, or televisions that are connected to cable or satellite service, will be able to receive signals after next year's transition. An analog television that currently uses an antenna ("rabbit ears") will not work after February 17, 2009, unless you take one of the actions described below. If you are uncertain about the kind of television you own, please consult your owner's manual or look up information about your television on the manufacturer's website. Basically, you're trying to find out if your set has an input connection labeled "digital input" or "ATSC" (Advanced Television Systems Committee) which is the DTV format. A television with "rabbit ears" is an analog television and will require you to take one of the actions, described below, to prepare for the DTV transition.
Please note that effective May 25, 2007, television retailers that sold equipment not including a digital tuner had to disclose that the equipment only had an analog tuner, and therefore will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive over-the-air broadcast television after February 17, 2009.
How can you prepare for the transition?
If you determine that you rely on an analog television, you can do one of three things to prepare for the transition:
1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box which will allow you to receive the new over-the-air digital transmissions on your existing television (additional information below);
2. Subscribe to a cable or satellite service, which generally will eliminate the need to acquire a converter box (your satellite or cable service should be in touch with you); or
3. Purchase a new, digital-ready television set that includes a tuner capable of receiving, processing and displaying a digital signal.
Offsetting the cost of a new converter box
If you choose to continue using your analog television and do not subscribe to cable or satellite service, you must purchase a converter box for your television in order to receive television signals after February 17, 2009. To help offset the cost of a converter box, households may obtain up to two $40 coupons to be applied toward the purchase of a coupon-eligible converter box; one coupon per converter box. Coupons are only available until March 31, 2009.
How to request converter box coupons
Requests for coupons will be taken by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
via phone, fax, U.S. mail or the internet. Be prepared to provide your name and address, as well as information about how your household receives its television service. Please note that coupons will expire three months after they are mailed and that the coupons will be electronically traceable and numbered so that transactions can be verified at the point of sale.
For more information
For more detailed information involving the DTV Act and the transition to digital television broadcasts, please refer to the numbers and websites below. My staff is also able to help you with the transition.
By phone1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) Voice
1-877-530-2634 TTY
1-866-495-1161 TTY Spanish
On the web
About the TV Converter Box Coupon Program and to request coupons
FCC Consumer Facts
Information sessions
My staff and I will be holding information sessions throughout Delaware to raise awareness and provide information about the digital television transition. Please call one of my state offices for details about an information session near you.
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