On February 17, 2009, TV broadcast stations in the United States must complete the technical transition to all-digital broadcasting as mandated by the FCC and Congress. TV broadcast stations include, for example, local NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates.
This switch to all-digital broadcasting by February 17, 2009, impacts viewers who currently use an antenna (i.e., rabbit ears or rooftop antenna) to access local broadcast stations. To receive the signals after the transition, consumers have the following options:
The phrase "Digital TV Transition" refers to the time period during which broadcasters are making the switch from analog to digital broadcasting. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 granted broadcasters an additional 6 megahertz of spectrum to make the transition from analog to digital TV, so that analog spectrum could eventually be returned to the government for use by public safety and other services. Congress’ legislation ensures the transition is completed by February 17, 2009, at which time broadcasters must return their analog spectrum and begin broadcasting in the digital format only.
TV stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed by the government and put to other uses.
Cox recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs at this cut-off date. Therefore, Cox will continue to offer analog broadcast signals for at least three years after this deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable. The signal will be down-converted from its digital format, enabling customers to receive digital broadcast programming in an analog format.
Related Links:
For more information visit www.dtvtransition.org or call 1-888-388-2009.
