The Digital TV Transition

On June 12, 2009, all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to a 100 percent digital broadcast signal. You have three main choices if you wish to continue receiving your local broadcast television stations:

1. If you subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service, your provider will make sure you continue receiving your local broadcast television stations. You don’t need to do anything except let your provider know as soon as possible that you will continue using your analog TV after the conversion.
2. You can buy a new television with a digital tuner. There are several types of digital televisions. Many sources of information about the different types of digital televisions and their benefits are available to you. Please explore your options carefully before you decide which type best meets your needs.
3. If you don’t have cable, satellite or other pay service and you want to keep your analog TV you can purchase a digital to analog converter. Congress has established a program to help subsidize the purchase. You can get up to two coupons, each worth up to $40.00 applicable toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. Visit www.dtv-setup.com  or www.dtv2009.gov/ for information on the coupon program.
4. Residents who need financial assistance with the purchase of a digital television converter box have one last chance to get a City-offered $40 coupon. Applications for the coupons are available through Community Services at 310 West Martin Street, Suite 201, at the front desk of City Hall at 222 West Hargett Street, at Parks and Recreation Community Centers, or at Police district station houses.
   Residents can also register by calling a toll-free number. For English and Spanish, call 1-888-388-2009. For TTY in English, call 1-877-530-2634. For TTY in Spanish, call 1-866-495-1161.
   Stations will cease non-digital television broadcasts on Friday, June 12, but residents can still apply for the coupons after this date. The digital-to-analog converters are only necessary for televisions that do not have digital tuners and use antennas to receive a signal. Residents with cable or satellite service do not need the converter.
   

For local assistance, contact DTV Help Center, located at 327 W. Morgan Street, phone 1-888-388-1733 or visit www.dtv-setup.com.

Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by other services. For more information about the transition visit www.dtv.gov.

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