DTV: Are You Ready?

TV broadcasters nationwide switched from the old method of transmitting TV signals (known as analog) to all-digital television (known as DTV) as of June 12, 2009. Click below for answers to the four main questions people ask about the transition:

• Will I be affected by the digital transition?
• What are my options?
• Will I notice any changes after I convert to digital?

Will I be affected by the digital transition?

The digital transition may have no effect on you at all. If you subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay television service, your service will continue uninterrupted on any TV that is hooked up to one of these services.

If your TV set has a digital tuner, you also won't need to do anything. (Check your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer or a local retailer to determine if your TV has a digital tuner. If your remote control will let you tune in channels that have decimal points — 26.1 instead of just 26, for example — then you have a digital TV.)

The digital transition only affects you if you watch a TV set that receives television signals through an antenna (for example, "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna) AND your TV does not have a built-in digital tuner.

What are my options?

If you use an analog television set that receives free, over-the-air programming through an antenna, you have three options:

1. Purchase and install a digital TV converter box

If you wish to keep using your analog TV set and continue to get free television after June 12, 2009, you need to purchase a converter box. The box converts digital signals into a traditional analog signal that your TV set can display. You should be able to receive all four of WETA's digital channels for free over the air when using a converter box and antenna.

The converter box plugs into your TV set (and you'll still use your antenna). Converter boxes costs $40-$80. The federal government is offering coupons to off-set the cost. Please see Converter Boxes & Coupons for more information. If you choose the converter box route, you will need one for each TV in your home that relies on an antenna.


The way your antenna is pointed will have an impact on how well you receive WETA's digital channels. Please see the Troubleshooting page or check out AntennaWeb for information on which way to point your antenna.

2. Purchase a new TV set with a built-in digital tuner

If you feel the time is right for a new TV set, you can also replace your current analog TV set with a TV that has a built-in digital tuner (a "digital TV"). Digital TVs are available starting at approximately $100.

All new TV sets sold in the U.S. include a built-in digital tuner. They have been available for a while now, so first check to see if your current TV already has a digital tuner. (Check your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer or a local retailer to determine if your TV has a digital tuner. If your remote control will let you tune in channels that have decimal points — 26.1 instead of just 26, for example — then you have a digital TV.)

3. Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay television service

You can also make the switch to digital television by subscribing to cable, satellite or another pay television service.

Only those TV sets that are hooked up to the pay TV service (or have a built-in digital tuner) will get a TV signal after June 12, 2009. If you have cable on your main TV, for example, but use an antenna to get a signal on your other TVs, those TV sets will not work unless you take action and hook them up to a pay service or get converter boxes for them.

Will I notice any changes after I convert to digital?

Yes! You'll enjoy better color, clarity and sound and more program choices than before.

WETA broadcasts four digital channels — WETA TV 26, WETA HD, WETA Create, and the WETA Kids Channel. These channels broadcast the programs you enjoy 24 hours a day. Please see our Channel Guide page for more information on how to find and watch these television channels.