Who out there doesn't have cable or satellite TV service?  Who still uses "rabbit ears" for TV reception?  This post is for you.  And according to cable marketing association CTAM, 17% of U.S. households (over 19 million homes) still just plug their analog TVs into the electrical outlet without cable or satellite service. 

Effective February 17, 2009, your analog TV won't receive signals because the Digital Transition Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires 100% digital broadcasts.  No more analog.  Just higher quality digital  So for those effected, you will need to do 1 of 4 things:

1. Connect your analog TV to cable, satellite or pay TV service.
2. Replace your analog TV with a digital TV.
3. Obtain a digital converter box (see below for details).
4. Record a whole bunch of TV for next 14 months and pretend you're still watching TV on your analog box as you watch reruns over and over again (kind of like today, with the writers' strike).  I don't recommend this approach.  :>

The Government is subsidizing the digital converter boxes by issuing $40 coupons towards the purchase of up to 2 analog-to-digital converter boxes between 1/1/08 and 3/31/09.  Retail cost of these boxes will likely be $50 to $70.  Do one of the following:

1. Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov
2. Call the 24-hour hotline 1.800.388.2009
3. Mail coupon application to PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000
4. Fax coupon application to 1.877.388.4632

We are not the only ones making the switch to digital.  Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland beat us to the punch.  Germany, UK, Austria and Norway are in process.  Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, and Ireland will join the U.S. in the next 2 years.  Bringing up the rear are Canada (2011), China (2015), Japan (2011), Malaysia (2009-2015), Spain (2010) and the Ukraine (2015). 

Interested in learning more about the switchover?  Visit the National Telecommunications and Information Administration website at www.ntia.doc.gov.