Low-Power Television Stations, Translator Stations and the Digital Television (DTV) Transition
For the vast majority of viewers who watch TV using antennas, television goes all digital on June 12, 2009 – the date set by Congress for all full-power television stations to broadcast exclusively in a digital format.
But the law does not require "low-power" television (LPTV) stations to go digital. These smaller LPTV stations, and low-power "translator" stations that boost a signal's strength at distances far from the station's main transmitter, may continue broadcasting in analog after June 12, 2009.
Type in your zip code to see LPTV stations broadcasting in your area.
What does that mean for you?
Data suggests many viewers will not be affected, however, those that watch low-power stations must purchase specific equipment to have easy access to both analog and digital television signals after the switch.
Specifically, viewers who plan to watch low-power TV after June 12, 2009, will need a special kind of "analog pass-through" converter box that passes through an analog signal and a digital signal. See the side bar for an up-to-date list of converter boxes with the pass-through option.
Without that special converter box, viewers will need a small new device called a "splitter" and some new wiring – not unlike setting up your TV to a DVD player and VCR.
Analog pass-through boxes are also available at the following major retail outlets: Best Buy, Sears, Wal-Mart, Target, Circuit City and RadioShack. A list of government-certified analog pass-through converter boxes is on the right hand side of this page.
Click here to view our latest Low-Power DTV Action Spot
To learn more, see our LPTV Overview, or download our Low-Power Issue Guide in PDF format.
Additionally, below are resources put together by the government on low-power television (LPTV).
NTIA – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's list of questions frequently asked by consumers about the low-power issue. Click here to see the NTIA's state-by-state list of low-power television stations.
FCC – The Federal Communications Commission's publication that explains the impact of the DTV transition on low-power, Class A and translator stations.
