Digital Television Transition

What is Digital Television (DTV) and why are television broadcasters transitioning to DTV?

Digital television (DTV) is revolutionizing the television marketplace, offering improved service quality, greater service innovation, and new capabilities not currently available from the analog broadcast television service.  DTV will allow broadcasters to offer viewers better image and sound quality and also more programming choices.

There are other benefits to the nation as well.  The DTV service is designed to use radio spectrum more efficiently than the analog service.  Therefore, upon completion of the DTV transition, the Federal Government will reclaim and reassign analog broadcast television spectrum to other important uses, including public safety and advanced wireless services.

When will the DTV transition be completed?

Broadcasters are already using digital channels to offer DTV programming in their local markets all over the United States.  After February 17, 2009, full power television stations must stop analog broadcasting and return their analog channels so those channels can be put to other uses.

Will consumers need new equipment to watch broadcast television when the transition is complete?

When the DTV transition is complete, broadcast television viewers, those who do not subscribe to cable or satellite, will need either a television set capable of receiving digital programming, or a digital-to-analog converter box. Cable and satellite subscribers may also need additional equipment to view digital programming. For more information, go to our consumer section.

Converter Box Program

What is a digital-to-analog converter box and how do I get one?

Digital-to-analog converter boxes will make DTV signals viewable on analog TV sets.  These converter boxes will be available in retail stores during the transition.  The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce has been directed by Congress to set up a program that will allow households to obtain coupons that can be applied toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Can you provide more details about the converter box coupon program?

The Final Rule addressing the coupon program can be found on the Coupon Program page. 

In 2006, NTIA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that sought the public's suggestions on various details of the program's operations, including issues related to these questions. 

See also:

• Archived video of the 03-12-2007 NTIA Press Conference (116Mb Windows Media Video File Format)
  
  
• DTV Transition Coalition is a one-stop resource for consumers, providing useful consumer tips on making a smooth digital transition.
  
  
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Digital Television information for consumers.
  
  
• The Consumer Electronics Association digital television webpage.
  
  
• The National Association of Broadcaster’s webpage offers information about the broadcaster’s efforts to provide digital broadcasting
  
  
• The National Cable Television Association’s webpage on the analog-to-digital television transition.
  
  
• The Consumer Electronic Retailers Association’s digital television webpage.