Feb. 17, 2009, D-Day for Analog TV: 1,700 Analog Television Stations Set to Shut Down

The Nation's 1,700 Analog Television stations are set to shut down. Changing over to an All-Digital Broadcasting format. Most satellite and cable viewers won't even notice, along with those of whom have A Digital Tuners in their TV's.

The idea of the country switching to all-digital came about in the 80's when the US Congress became aware that Japan Already had High-definition TV, Produced by an Analog system. Not to be confused with the high-definition broadcasting system we have in the US today.

Public High-Definition Broadcasting first began in the 1998, as new HDTV hit store shelves'.

In '98, the (first) expected D-Day for Stations to stop broadcasting analog frequencies was 2006. Obviously, that came and went, with no change over. The main reason for that is not enough people have the necessary equipment to watch High-Definition TV, either and BRAND NEW TV or a Tuner box that sit atop of your TV. A No-frills model Tuner Box is expected to set you back around 60.00 dollars per TV. In 1999 the only High-Def show Being broadcasted on NBC was "The Tonight Show" NBC wasn't the only one, In the late 1990's High-Definition programming was not readily available. Opposed to now where every station does dual broadcasting (analog/ High-Definition). Even, PBS. Only until February of 2009, then your old TV will go dark. They will still be useful for DVD players and video games you won't be able to watch TV.

Because of the change to High-Definition Broadcaster will be able to add more channels (as if we need any more), Crystal clear pictures, and new information services. The Analog frequencies will still be there, available for public safety agencies during emergencies.

As of March 1^st 2007, All new TV sets being sold will be required to have a DTV Tuner installed.

Are you are freaking out reading this because you just bought a new TV. You are wondering if it has a DTV Tuner. If it is 25 inches or bigger and bought within the last two years, it should have a DTV Tuner. Check and make sure though, you don't want to assume it has one, be watching TV, and have it go dark.

This change over could be more disruptive then when color TV came about in the 1960's. At least you could still watch your black and with TV. The Government is thinking about giving two coupons worth 40.00 dollars each per low income household to help get every one ready for the switch. As they should. Since the Government stands to make money off the new broadcasting or I should say the old systems. Legislation called the "Deficit Reduction Act of 2005", allows the government to auction off most of the 108 Megahertz (MHz) of analog frequencies being "returned" by TV stations.

If American still haven't equipped them selves enough by buying converter boxes or new TV's the Feb. 2007 D-Day may be pushed back again. I wonder how much money has been wasted while doing this.

If they want people to know about this it needs to be talked about more, I have hardly heard anything about this on TV. If this is the first time you have heard anything about it, I am glad to get you out of the dark.