Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that has transformed the television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality, and multiple channels of programming. Since June 13, 2009, full-power television stations nation…
Digital Television | Federal Communications Commission This website is AudioEye enabled and is being optimized for accessibility. To open the AudioEye Toolbar, press "shift + =". Some assistive technologies may require the use of a passthrough function before this keystroke. For more information, activate the button labeled “Explore your accessibility options”.Skip to Main Content Jump to navigation Federal Communications Commission Magnifying-glass Menu You are hereHome / Consumer / Digital Television This page has been archived and is no longer actively maintained by the FCC. Digital Television is an advanced broadcasting technology that has transformed the television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality, and multiple channels of programming. Since June 13, 2009, full-power television stations nationwide have been required to broadcast exclusively in a digital format. The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is known as the Digital Television Transition. In 1996, Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to every full-power TV station so that each station could launch a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing analog broadcasting. Later, Congress set June 12, 2009 as the deadline for full power television stations to stop broadcasting analog signals. An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum have been freed up for public safety communications by groups such as police, fire departments and rescue squads. Also, some of the spectrum has been auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with advanced wireless services, such as wireless broadband. Consumer Resources TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files DTV Reception Maps DTV Headlines Archive Consumer Guides: Closed Captioning for Digital Television DTV Enforcement DTV and Over-the-Air Viewers Along U.S. Borders Satellite TV (DBS) Subscribers and the DTV Transition DTV Transition and LPTV - Class A - Translator Stations DTV Transition Did Not Require Cable Systems to Switch to Digital DTV Consumer Guides Archive Archive of DTV.gov [.zip file] Bureau/Office: Consumer and Governmental Affairs Tags: Broadcast Consumer Issues - Consumers - Digital TV (DTV) Updated: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterShare to LinkedInLinkedInShare to RedditRedditShare to PinterestPinterest8Share to DiggDiggShare to MIXMIXShare to MoreAddThis1.1K Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554 Phone: 1-888-225-5322 ASL Video Call: 1-844-432-2275 Fax: 1-866-418-0232 Contact Us Visiting FCC Facilities Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram Website Policies & Notices Privacy Policy FOIA No Fear Act Data Digital Strategy Open Government Directive Plain Writing Act RSS Feeds & Email Updates Accessibility Vulnerability Disclosure Policy USA.gov CATEGORIES About the FCC Proceedings & Actions Licensing & Databases Reports & Research News & Events For Consumers BUREAUS & OFFICES Consumer Enforcement Inspector General International Media Public Safety Wireless Wireline Offices Federal Communications Commission Accessible MenuBrowse bycategory Browse bybureaus & offices About the FCCAbout the FCC Overview What We Do Rulemaking Process Leadership FCC Initiatives Find People Organizational Charts Advisory Committees Jobs and Internships Contracting Strategic Plans & Budgets Contact FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request Privacy Policy Accessibility Program Proceedings & ActionsProceedings and Actions Overview Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) Commission Documents (EDOCS) Most Active Proceedings Items on Circulation Ex-Parte Daily Digest Mergers & Transactions Auctions Licensing & DatabasesOverview About Licensing Databases Fees Forms ASR CDBS CEFS COALS CORES CSRS DIRS EA ECFS EDOCS ELS ETFS ETRS GenMen HAM KDB KIDVID LMS MyIBFS NORS PIF PSIX-ESIX RLD TCB ULS URS VPD FCC Registration System (CORES) System Alerts & Notifications Reports & ResearchReports and Data Overview Reports Data Guides Maps Working Papers For Developers Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan Workload Dashboard News & EventsNews and Events Overview Headlines Commission Meetings Events Archived Events FCC Podcast Notes from the FCC FCC Blog RSS Feeds & Email Signup December 2022 Open Commission Meeting For ConsumersHelp Center Overview Consumer Complaint Center Disability Rights Headlines Social Media Affordable Connectivity Program Robocalls Consumer Complaint Center Consumer Enforcement International Media Public Safety Wireless Wireline Offices Opens in new window PDF Download Word Download Excel Download PowerPoint Download Document Download Explore your accessibility options close carousel