The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that all analog television broadcasts in the country will end on February 17, 2009.  Digital television broadcasts will take the place of the old analog broadcasts.  Most television stations have already met deadlines set to start broadcasting digital signals on channels assigned by the FCC.  This decision does not affect those that receive their programs via a Cable TV or satellite provider.  Only over-the-air reception with an indoor or outdoor antenna will be affected.

The FCC decision will mean an end to WKTV analog channel-2 over-the-air broadcasts on the designated date, February 17, 2009.  WKTV has been broadcasting a standard definition digital signal on channel-29 since May of 2005.  Viewers that have been watching our digital signal have had very good reception in areas where the channel-2 analog signal is marginal.  Digital signals are free from noise and ghosting experienced in analog broadcasts, thus producing a much clearer and sharper picture.  In order to receive the digital signal, viewers must have either a digital television set (with a built-in digital tuner), or a converter box to receive the digital channel, then feed it as an analog channel to an analog TV.  Digital tuners in TV’s or in converter boxes have a function to scan for channels.  Once connected to an antenna, either indoor or outdoor, users should initiate a scan.  If WKTV digital is received, the tuner or box will display as RF Channel-29 and Virtual Channel-2-1.  WKTV plans to add additional Virtual Channels by August of 2008, those being WKTV HD on 2-2 and CW on 2-3 (all contained within RF Channel-29).  The tuner or converter box will let you choose the virtual subchannels to view.

The Federal Government is offering each household up to two rebate coupons that they can use towards the purchase of converter boxes.  These coupons are valued at $40 each.  Applications for these coupons will be available during the first week of January, 2008 and the NTIA (National Telecommunications & Information Administration) will start sending the coupons on February 17, 2008.  The coupons can be used at any of the NTIA certified retailers.  A current list of certified retailers can be found at this link:  http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/DTV_CertifiedRetailers_121107.pdf

There are several converter box manufacturers.  Use this link for a current list:  http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

There are four ways to apply for rebate coupons:

For more information about the DTV transition or the rebate program, visit one of these websites:

http://www.DTV2009.gov 

http://www.dtvtransition.org

http://www.dtv.gov

http://www.ntia.doc.gov
 
If you have questions about receiving WKTV’s digital transmission, email us: engineering@wktv.com