Digital Television (DTV)
Are you ready for Digital TV? All full-power television stations will broadcast digital signals by June 12, 2009.
Are you ready for Digital TV (DTV)? You'll need to take action if you want to continue watching most TV programming after June 12, 2009. Read more about switching to DTV or find a Cable or Satellite provider in your area.
Why switch to digital television?
- Are You Ready for Digital TV?
- What is digital television?
- Why switch to digital television?
- Who is affected?
- How do I switch?
On June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting.
Digital technology allows for a higher resolution broadcast resulting in dramatically better picture and sound quality than currently available with analog. With DTV you could also receive several TV programs at once through a new technology called "multicasting." DTV also alows interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.
An often overlooked, but equally important, benefit of DTV is that it will free up scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum bandwidth for public safety and new wireless services. This is possible because the innovative technology of DTV is more efficient than analog TV technology, allowing for many new and critical uses of public airwaves.
If you are currently receiving analog television over-the-air or via an antenna, you'll need to take action to continue watching your favorite television shows and stations.
You have three options to continue watching TV:
- 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.
- Purchase a television with a built-in digital tuner.
- Connect to cable, satellite or other digital pay service.
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.







