From Matthew Torres,
Your Guide to TV / Video.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

The digital transition is something that’s giving a lot of people headaches. What is it? Who will it affect? When is it? Why? What if I have cable or satellite? Do I have to buy a new television?

These are just some of the questions people are asking. Unfortunately, the answers seem to be based more in theory than fact, which is why the American consumer needs to know the simple truth.

What is the Digital Transition?

The digital transition in the United States is when all analog television signals originating from full-power broadcast stations will become 100% digital.

This means analog signals will disappear from full-power stations. They will not exist. People that continue to use an analog television and an antenna will not receive TV unless they have a digital-to-analog converter box. That is, unless they receive signals from a low power, Class A or translator station.

Yes, there is an exception to the rule.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not include low power, Class A or translator stations in the mandatory transition to digital, which means that some people won’t be affected by the transition.

Learn about Class A, low-power and translator stations

Who is affected?

Most people reading this will be affected. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. is home to about 1,760 full-power stations.

There are also many that won’t be affected. The FCC says that there are more than 2,100 licensed low-power television stations, over 4,700 licensed translator stations and about 600 Class A Stations.

To put an exact number on it is difficult but think of it this way – most full-power stations are the stations affiliated with national broadcast networks, like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, UPN, etc. Low power, Class A or translator stations are generally in smaller or rural markets, distribute non-English programming and/or function in a big market to a smaller niche group of individuals.

I spoke with Greg Herman, Vice President of Technology for the Community Broadcasters Association, about the transition and he estimates that 45% of the American viewing public can receive one of these stations that aren’t required to convert to digital in 2009. He also says that these stations exist in every market.

When is the Digital Transition?

The digital transition will happen on February 17, 2009, for full-power stations. While Class A, low-power and translator stations aren’t part of this mandate, the FCC will likely require them to convert to digital at some point in the future. No date is recognized or near being recognized at this time.

Why transition to digital?

The FCC says that we are transitioning to digital because “it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).”

Another reason for the transition is that digital television (DTV) will give people access to a better picture and sound and data services that analog doesn’t support.

What Do I Need To Watch On An Analog TV?

In order to watch a digital signal on an analog TV or tuner-less digital TV after 02/17/2009 you will need either a subscription to a cable/satellite programming package or own a digital-to-analog converter boxes and antenna.

The United States government currently offers a coupon for digital-to-analog converter boxes. In the program, antenna users can get up to two $40 coupons good for the purchase of a converter box. The official Web site for the coupon program is www.dtv2009.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a link to a continuous comment form that I recommend people as questions to about digital television. I will also post answers in this so it may be a good resource for you to learn more and possible get an answer to your question: Digital Television Questions from Readers

Will antennas work with digital TV?
What are Low-Power, Class A and Translator TV stations?