Today, American television stations are broadcasting both
analog and digital signals. On February
17, 2009, by Congressional Act and FCC Regulations, all of our country’s
television stations will turn off their analog signals, which have been the
basis of television since its beginning in the 1940’s.
The new digital television signals will offer many
opportunities, both to the broadcasters and their local communities, providing
both traditional networks on the primary signal and additional channels that
provide more in depth local weather, news, emergency information, and other
programming.
As a result of the switch to digital TV, many consumers may
not be aware of equipment, such as HD-TV sets or converter boxes, that will be
required to receive over-the-air television signals after February 17,
2009. To address this issue, the FCC has
adopted a rule requiring sellers to display the following text if they are
selling TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner:
Consumer Alert
This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner
and will require a converter box after February 19, 2007, to receive
over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the nation’s transition to
digital broadcasting. Analog-only
televisions should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV
services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, please call the FCC at
(888) 225-5322 or visit the FCC’s digital television website at www.dtv.gov.