Over one third of US TV stations go digital
36% of television stations in the US terminated analogue broadcasts by 17 February according to communications regulator the FCC.
A total of 641 stations out of 1,800 had made the transition by the end of 17 February, the original date for the US transition to digital television.
About 220 stations made the transition before that date including those in the Wilmington, N.C. area, which made the transition on 8 September 2008, and Hawaii, which made the transition on 15 January 2009.
Earlier this month Congress delayed the deadline for termination of analogue signals to 12 June following concerns that the public were not prepared for switchover. However, Congress also directed the FCC to allow broadcasters the flexibility to make the transition early, including on the original 17 February date.
The FCC has dispatched staff to 72 areas across the US where the impact is expected to be the greatest.
"This is not just about whether people can watch their favourite reality show," said Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps. "It's about whether consumers have access to vital emergency alerts, weather, news and public affairs."
In areas that have gone digital, the FCC is providing those that are unprepared for the switch with access to critical local news and emergency information. In each market without analogue services, the FCC has tried to ensure that at least one affiliate of the four major networks—ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC—would continue broadcasting in analogue after 17 February.
Links open in a new window. The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites.