By Staff
As I am sure many of you know by now, starting Feb. 17, 2009, all television stations must broadcast exclusively in a digital format. This means stations will no longer broadcast in analog and some traditional televisions will no longer work.
The decision to transition to analog was due in large part to lessons learned in the wake of Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina.
First responders must be able to communicate with each other in times of disaster, and switching to digital will free-up bandwidth for use by first responders.
If you use an antenna or “rabbit ears” to watch television - and you do not subscribe to cable, satellite, or any other pay television service - you will need to upgrade to digital television by Feb. 17, 2009, in order to continue to have television reception.
Approximately 85 percent of American households have cable or satellite television service. However, the other 15 percent of households will require a digital converter box.
There are three options to continue your television reception: