The Digital TV Transition

What You Need to Know About DTV

What Is The Digital TV (DTV) Transition?

On June 12, 2009 -– the DTV Transition deadline mandated by congress -- all full–power TV stations in the U.S. stopped broadcasting in analog and began broadcasting only in digital by June 13, 2009. The DTV Transition affected those who watch free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears”). If you watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you must take action now that the DTV Transition is completed.

Why Did Broadcast Stations Switch to Digital?

Federal law required the switch, which freed up the airwaves for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, allowed broadcasters to offer programming with better picture and sound quality and offer more programming choices, and allowed for advanced wireless services for consumers.

What Should I Do Now That the DTV Transition Is Completed?

You have three choices:

1. Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box
For any analog-only device (TV set, VCR), you will need to connect it to a digital-to-analog converter box now that the DTV Transition is completed. These converter boxes are available in a variety of major stores and have a one-time cost of $40-$70. You should not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with your existing antenna. Or

2. Buy a digital television set (a set with a built-in digital tuner)
You do not need a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television. You only need a digital TV (or an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box). Plus, you should not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with your existing antenna. Or

3. Subscribe to a paid TV service
If your TV set receives local broadcast stations through a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV, you do not need to take any post-DTV-Transition action. Cable companies were not required to transition or switch any of their channels to digital on June 12, 2009. However, if you have an analog TV that does not receive local broadcast stations through your paid provider, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcasts on that TV set.

For More Information:

1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice)
1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY)