| Changes are coming in the world of | | | | available. |
| television. Traditional over-the-air | | | | • Purchase a digital ready television |
| television broadcasts will cease on | | | | • Subscribe to a cable or satellite TV |
| February 18, 2009 and all stations will | | | | service |
| broadcast digitally. Although the | | | | • Obtain a set top box to allow an |
| majority of consumers already have the | | | | existing television to receive digital |
| equipment and services necessary to | | | | television signals |
| continue to receive their television | | | | Purchasing a new television of course |
| programming, there will still be an | | | | carries a price tag. Depending upon the |
| estimated 20 million who will need to | | | | size and display type, a new television |
| take action if they want to continue | | | | could run from a couple of hundred to a |
| viewing programming. | | | | few thousand dollars. Subscribing to a |
| The digital switch over will occur in | | | | cable or satellite TV service would |
| order to free up those portions of the | | | | provide additional programming options |
| broadcast spectrum, which traditional | | | | and would eliminate the need to purchase |
| analog broadcasts currently occupy, for | | | | additional equipment but would involve |
| use by wireless and broadband services. | | | | adding another monthly bill onto the |
| Improved communications for public and | | | | household budget for homes that don't |
| safety services and more affordable high | | | | currently subscribe to such services. |
| speed internet are just two of the | | | | The final option, which is probably the |
| potential benefits of the switch. | | | | least expensive, is to purchase a |
| For most consumers who utilize cable or | | | | set-top converter box; the cost of which |
| satellite TV services no action prior to | | | | is anticipated to be around $50 by the |
| the change over should be necessary as | | | | 2009 change over. |
| the set-top boxes or receivers they use | | | | To assist consumers who receive |
| will allow them to receive the digital | | | | over-the-air television programming |
| signals. However, for those households | | | | without cable or satellite TV services, |
| who receive their television programming | | | | the US Department of Commerce will be |
| exclusively through over-the-air analog | | | | providing a coupon program beginning in |
| broadcasts, additional equipment will be | | | | 2008. The program will reportedly |
| needed in most instances. | | | | provide up to two $40 vouchers per |
| Consumers who have purchased a | | | | household to help offset the cost of |
| television set in the past year or two | | | | this change for such households. |
| may already have a set with a digital | | | | Certainly the change over to digital |
| tuner which will allow them to pick up | | | | television should provide a needed boost |
| the new signals. However, because not | | | | for emergency services communications |
| every television manufactured prior to | | | | and wireless capabilities while |
| March 1, 2007 was required to have a | | | | improving television signal efficiency |
| digital tuner having a newer television | | | | and quality for home viewers. Like most |
| may not exempt consumers from needing to | | | | change however, it will not be |
| seek out additional equipment. | | | | completely without pain, as millions of |
| For those households with a television | | | | home viewers on a budget may find they |
| that does not currently have a digital | | | | need to take action if they wish to keep |
| tuner and which receive programming | | | | their current television service. |
| over-the-air, one of three options are | | | | |