Digital Television (DTV)

Who is affected by the DTV Switch?

• Are You Ready for Digital TV?
• What is digital television?
• Why switch to digital television?
• Who is affected?
• How do I switch?

If you use an antenna to watch TV on a set that has an analog tuner you will need to upgrade to digital television by June 12, 2009.

You have three options to continue watching TV:

1. Purchase a DTV converter box for your existing analog TV set. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after June 12, 2009. You may be eligible for up to two $40 coupons, provided by the government, to help pay for the digital-to-analog converter boxes. Click here for more information.
2. Purchase a television with a built-in digital tuner.
3. Connect to cable, satellite or other digital pay service.

Note that the transition only applies to full-power TV stations. Some low-power stations will remain in analog, so you may need specific equipment to watch analog and digital broadcasting after the transition. "Pass-through" converter boxes allow your TV set to receive both analog and digital signals. To learn more about low-power television and to find out if the stations you watch are low-power, click here.

TVs connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service will not be affected directly by the DTV transition. However, some cable and satellite providers continue to migrate lower-tier programming to higher tiers. Customers should check with their providers to see whether there will be any cable or satellite specific changes to their pay service. Ask your cable or satellite provider if you will need new equipment and when.

On June 12, 2009 all TV stations in the US will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to a digital format. Don't risk losing your signal. Find a digital TV provider in your area.