All analog broadcasting for television stations across the country will be discontinued and switched to digital broadcasting on Feb. 18, 2009.

The U.S. government mandated this to free analog broadcasting frequencies for use by Fire, Police, and other emergency services. After this date, without the purchase of a set-top box, or switch to a cable or satellite provider, 19 million households will be viewing only static.   

Congressman Eliot Engel, representing the Bronx, Westchester, and Rockland counties, has introduced legislation to aid those currently using analog television stations. The bill requires three things: it requires public service announcements to be broadcast for the year prior to the switch, and signs placed next to analog TV displays explaining the need of a set-top box on TV D-day. In addition, it introduces a set-top box subsidy program that offers partial reimbursement for up to two set-top boxes per household.  

What this means for viewers is if your TV receives its signals via the air, such as with a roof-top antenna, you will need to take action before the deadline to continue to have free television. If your TV does not already receive digital broadcasting, and you do not want to purchase a new one, you can purchase cable or satellite TV, or you can get a set-top box that will convert digital signals into analog.

Between Jan. 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 all households can apply to the "Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program" offered by the U.S. government. This program will provide up to two $40 coupons for households to purchase a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box for their televisions.

For more information on the coupons, visit the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Web site at www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon.