Television as we know it is changing. Less than a year from now, full-power TV stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100 percent digital broadcasting.

Changing from analog to digital makes sense. First and foremost, it will free up additional airwaves for first responders so they can better communicate with each other during emergencies—a key recommendation of the 9⁄11 Commission.

What’s more, digital television (DTV) offers sharp video and crisp audio. It also creates a world of new opportunities for innovation. Through the sale of newly available spectrum, it will make more scarce airwaves available for the development and use of innovative telecommunications technologies and advanced wireless services.

With its movie-quality pictures, DTV has been called the greatest advance in television since color. More efficient than analog TV technology, digital technology allows for multicasting, which is the transmission of multiple programs at once. Additionally, it can be used to transmit video and data services that are not possible using analog technology.

Who is affected by thetransition?

Those who have an older analog television set that is now receiving free, over-the-air service with rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna and that is not equipped with a digital tuner, risk losing television reception if they do not take steps to maintain service.

Viewers with television sets equipped with digital tuners are DTV-ready, and those who get TV service through a paid provider are not likely to be affected by the transition.

Until the final transition next February, most television stations will continue broadcasting their programming in both analog and digital. After that, analog signals from full power stations will end.

Steps to Take

If you are at risk for losing television reception, you have choices to make. And you will need to act by the analog-to-digital transition date, set by Congress as February 17, 2009, to have access to your favorite television shows, news programs and sports events.

To receive a digital signal and ensure continued TV reception, free ‘‘over the air” television viewers have several options to consider.

First of all, you can subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay TV service. Second, you can purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. Finally, you can purchase a digital-to-analog converter box and connect it to an existing analog TV. Converter boxes will keep analog televisions working after full-power television stations convert to all-digital signals.

The federal government is working with the broadcast, cable, consumer electronics and retail industries, and other community organizations to ensure that the analog-to-digital television transition is as easy possible for consumers.

TV Converter Box Coupon Program

Importantly, there is government help available to offset the cost of these converter boxes. Through the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, coupons worth $40 dollars toward the purchase of converter boxes are being offered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. households can request two coupons.

More than 10,000 retail locations are already participating in the program, including locations in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Participating stores will have completed certification in the Coupon Program, will have converter boxes for sale, will have employees trained, and will be prepared to redeem coupons. NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and nearby participating retailers, such as Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Wal-Mart and other local retailers, within the coupon mailer. This information, along with any updates, also will be available at www.DTV2009.gov.

DTV is coming to America’s TV screens. On February 17, 2009, when full-power television stations nationwide turn off analog, we want everybody to be able to say ‘‘Yes, we are ready.”

More information about DTV and the coupon program can be found by calling 1-888-388-2009.