Posted by chicagomedia.org on February 11, 2009 at 15:26:58:
Chicago TV stations will not shut off analog signals early, according to FCC
by Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune
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Regardless of what Chicagoans may hear about television stations around the country shutting off their analog broadcast signal on the original deadline for digital switchover, next Tuesday, relax.
No full-power station in the Chicago market will be doing do, according to a list the Federal Communications Commission issued Monday.
Congress moved last week to extend the so-called DTV dateline to June 12, meaning local viewers with televisions reliant on over-the-air signals have more time to get the converter boxes older TVs need to translate broadcasts. This may be complicated by both a possible shortage of converter boxes and difficulties acquiring discount coupons subsidizing the purchase of those boxes.
The FCC's list shows 491 TV stations have indicated they want to switch to digital-only transmission on the original Feb. 17 deadline, but must get permission from the FCC before doing so. Another 190 or so already have made the change or plan to do it. But most major markets will be unaffected.