After months of reminders, commercials and stories, the switch to digital television, or D-TV, is finally here. Are you ready?
Currently, many television stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital formats, however, all full-power stations are required under federal law to broadcast exclusively in digital starting today, June 12.
The change is an important and good one as it will result in an overall better picture and sound quality for us consumers, and more importantly give emergency rescue folks additional airwaves to communicate.
If you receive your favorite programs via a free over-the-air television, rooftop antenna or good-old fashioned “rabbit ears,” you need to take action. However, if you receive local broadcast stations through a cable or satellite service provider, you’re all set. The company you pay already took care of everything for you. If you have a built-in digital tuner, you should also be OK. Not sure if you do? You can check here.
Click here to learn what you need to do, if you need to make the switch. There is more information about the switch here.
This is a major transition. As of this posting, only 761 stations have transitioned; 1,026 still have to make the switch in the next few hours, according to the FCC.
Customers affected could check out some nifty coverage maps, here. The FCC also provided PDF maps for how the transition will affect Fairfield County consumers who are not with paid cable or satellite providers and access New York-based channels — as well as Connecticut-based ones.
And if you’re really stuck, you can always call 1-888-CALL-FCC.
Good luck!
