In the coming months you will be hearing more and more about something called “analog shut-off.” I know that for many people any kind of techno-babble immediately causes their eyes to glaze over, but it is important that you give this your attention and some thought. Analog shut-off will definitely affect you.

The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that all analog broadcast television, the type of broadcasting that has been around since the beginning of TV will cease on February 17, 2009. That means that the television sets you have had for years and years will be able to receive a signal until February 16, 2009. The very next day, there will be no analog broadcasts to receive.

For more information on the Digital television transition check out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) DTV website at www.dtv.gov or the National Broadcasters Association (NAB) DTV website www.dtvanswers.com

What does this mean to you?

If you are among the 26% of viewers who take your television signals off air from an antenna, you will have to purchase a new digital set in order to continue receiving any television programs. If you are a cable or satellite subscriber, your service will likely continue uninterrupted. Your service provider will make the conversion for you.

 

What channels are affected?

This shut off affects all television broadcasters, commercial and public. In our area the analog services of WEEK (NBC), WMBD (CBS), WHOI (ABC), WYZZ (Fox), WAEO (My Network) and WTVP (PBS) will cease to exist. All these stations have made significant investments in new technology and will continue operations in digital.

 

Is there an alternative to buying a new TV?

Yes. The federal government has been working with manufacturers and the TV industry to develop a simple converter box of some sort that will receive digital signals and convert them to analog. This box will likely only convert basic off-air signals but not offer all the services that digital makes possible. TV converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March 2008.

 

How much will a converter box cost?

At this point we don’t know for sure.  Congress has created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program. NOTE: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) kicked off its DTV converter box coupon program on January 1, 2008 and took orders for over 1.5 million coupons in the first 48 hours of the program. This is important news because there is sufficient funding for only 33.5 million coupons, while approximately 70 million television sets need an upgrade. Consumers can apply for converter box coupons by visiting www.dtv2009.gov, or calling 1-888-DTV-2009.

 

Whose idea was this?

The decision to convert from analog to digital was made by the Federal Communications Commission and not by broadcasters. Very few broadcasters, commercial and non-commercial, were interested in spending the literally millions of dollars necessary to convert our broadcast plants to digital, but we had to do so in order to maintain our licenses.

 

Why is digital conversion happening?

Converting to digital broadcasting will consolidate broadcast television’s use of the electromagnetic spectrum and free up more frequencies for public safety communications, and other wireless services like hospital patient monitoring, cell phones, garage door openers, keyless entry items, and the like.

 

Where should I go to get a new digital TV?

There are several excellent retailers locally. Make sure that you get a receiver that has a digital tuner included. We recommend that you get a set that has a 16 x 9 aspect ratio (the shape of wide screen movies) and not one that is essentially square like your old TV. The good news is that prices on digital TVs are starting to come down.

 

Is the analog shut-off date firm?

As of this moment, yes, however Congress has the authority to make any changes they wish, so there is no surety until it actually happens.

WTVP will make more information available as we get closer to February 17, 2009.

For more information on the Digital television transition check out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) DTV website at or the National Broadcasters Association (NAB) DTV website www.dtvanswers.com