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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jewell Williams |
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Williams: Digital television switch is coming, get educated
PHILADELPHIA, March 12 – State Rep. Jewell Williams, D-Phila., said television viewers should be sure they know how the 2009 television broadcast transition will affect them, or risk tuning into a blank television screen.
“Many people, but particularly senior citizens, are confused about the digital television switch that will occur next year,” Williams said. “I believe we need an aggressive outreach effort to educate consumers throughout the state about this television switch.
“Basically, if you subscribe to a cable company or satellite provider, the switch won’t affect you. However, if you’re getting your television signal from an over-the-air antenna, you’ll need a digital converter to handle the new broadcast signal.”
Beginning Feb. 17, 2009, the Digital Television
Transition and Public Safety Act will require television stations to stop
broadcasting in analog format and broadcast only in digital. All analog
televisions receiving over-the-air programming, meaning households receiving
television transmission by antenna or "rabbit ears" will need to take
one of the following actions:
- purchase a converter box that will plug into your current television to change digital broadcasts into analog format for older television sets;
- purchase a television with a digital tuner; or
- connect the analog television to cable, satellite or other pay service.
The TV Converter Box Program has been created for people who want to continue using their analog televisions. Between Jan. 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, U.S. households will be able to use up to two $40 coupons from the federal government that may be used to defray the cost of a digital converter.
The switch from analog to digital is expected to bring many benefits, including better picture and sound quality. But as many as 40 million U.S. homes depend at least partially on antennas, and most of their televisions will go blank unless they get converter boxes that translate the digital signals for old televisions.
Applications for the $40 coupon are available in Williams’ constituent service office located at 2220 N. Broad St. For more information about the switch, visit the National Telecommunications Information Administration Web site at www.dtv.gov.
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