DTV IS COMING IN 2009 - GET READY NOW
By February 17, 2009, the U.S. will complete a TV technology transition. Current U.S. broadcast television will change completely to a new format called digital television (DTV). Canadian TV stations will not end analog broadcasting in 2009, but Canadian viewers will need to take the same steps as U.S. viewers in order to continue receiving U.S.channels.
How will the transition affect me?
If you receive TV signals through an antenna (for example, using “rabbit ears”) and you currently do not subscribe to cable or satellite, the televisions in your home will be affected. You will need to take action to continue receiving TV service. You have three options to choose from:
- Purchase a converter box for each television in your home that receives TV signals through an antenna (and take advantage of the U.S. government-issued coupon program to help offset some of the cost of the boxes); or
- Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; or
- Subscribe to cable or satellite provider that carries the channels you want to watch.
What’s the Coupon Program?
To help U.S. consumers, a coupon program has been created to reduce the cost of a converter box, so from now until through March 2009, all U.S. households who choose to purchase a converter box, may request up to two coupons. Converter boxes are expected to cost around $70—and each coupon is worth $40. To learn more about the coupon program, including how and when to use your coupons, visit the following website: https://www.dtv2009.gov/ Or, call toll-free: 1-888-DTV-2009 to request a coupon or to receive coupon program information.
We value your support:
Mountain Lake PBS is here to help you during the DTV transition, so please feel free to Contact Us with any questions you may have about the DTV transition.
Additional Resources:
Affinity Group Coalition (AGC): www.ptv-agc.org
Digital Television Transition Coalition: www.dtvtransition.org
Digital TV Facts: www.dtvfacts.com
EZDigital: www.ezdigitaltv.com
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): www.DTV.gov
National Associationof Broadcasters (NAB): www.DTVAnswers.com
National Telecommunications and Information Administration: www.ntia.doc.gov