The Digital Transition occured on June 12, 2009

This website explains what the digital transition is all about and answers questions we know you must have.

Converter Box Assistance: 1-888-DTV-2009
Technical Assistance: 1-888-CALL FCC

Download PDF: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (Basic)

Download PDF: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (Basic with twin-lead antenna wire)

Download PDF: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (With a VCR)

Analog television sets will NOT be obsolete after June 12.
You can continue to use your analog TV sets after the transition to DTV is completed on June 12. All you need to do is install a digital-to-analog converter box to each analog TV or connect them to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV. You also must have a good antenna with both rabbit ears, or the equivalent for channels 2-13 (VHF) and a loop, bow-tie or equivalent, to get channels 14-51 (UHF). Analog VCRs connected to a converter box can continue to record programs. Gaming consoles, DVD players and other devices that don’t rely on a broadcast signal will work without a converter box.

Some viewers may have trouble receiving some digital channels after June 12.
If you are missing a few channels, you should conduct a channel scan, adjust your antenna and check the signal strength meter on your converter box. If channels are still missing, you may be able to add them individually by entering the number on the converter box remote. For more information regarding reception in your area, visit http://www.dtv.gov.

Free technical assistance WILL still be available after June 12.
The FCC will continue to provide assistance after June 12 to anyone that still needs it. In some areas the FCC is offering free in-home installation services and walk-in centers to you who need technical assistance until the end of June, and in some locations, through July. The FCC’s call center will continue to be available to you. For more information, call (888) CALL FCC or visit http://www.dtv.gov.

Installing a converter box will NOT provide high-definition television (HDTV) on your analog TV.
Installing a digital-to-analog converter box will not convert an analog TV to high-definition. HDTV is a digital broadcast format that provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. You may receive free, over-the-air HDTV programming if you have an HDTV compatible digital television. But even those who use an analog TV and converter box will usually find that your picture is better than it was with the old analog signal.

The DTV transition will NOT affect TV sets that are connected to most pay TV services.
Any television set that is connected to a paid cable or satellite service will NOT be affected by the transition. The DTV transition applies only to full-power broadcast television stations – stations that use the public airwaves to transmit your programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna. Satellite customers who receive local stations through an antenna, rather than by satellite, may be affected. Check with your provider.

You do NOT need a special “digital ready” or “HD ready” antenna to receive DTV signals.
DTV signals do not require a special antenna. Over-the-air DTV signals require the same type of antenna (i.e., rooftop, set-top) as analog signals. With digital, however, it’s critical that antennas receive both VHF and UHF signals. And you should check your existing rooftop antenna s for wear-and-tear caused by wind and weather and loose connections that could degrade performance. Weak reception that causes “snow” in analog could result in no digital picture at all: the digital “cliff effect.”

On June 12, 2009, the United States completed a technology transition. Current broadcast television changed to an all-digital system. And all TV stations, including WTTW, switched to a digital-only signal. What does this mean?

Well, it doesn't mean that free broadcast television is ending.

It just means that if you receive WTTW over the air with a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears, there are steps you need to take if you haven't already. It also means that you will be able to receive WTTW11, WTTWDigital, WTTW Create, and WTTW V-me...all for free!


If you receive WTTW through an antenna (for example, using "rabbit ears") and you currently do not subscribe to cable or satellite, you have 1 of 3 options:

1. Purchase a converter box for each television set in your home that receives TV signals through an antenna.

If you'd like to learn more about converter boxes and the coupon program, download this PDF Fact Sheet or call the toll-free number the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has set up: 1-888-DTV-2009.

2. Or, purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.

3. Or, subscribe to cable or satellite that carries the channels you want to watch.


If you do not receive your signal via cable or satellite and do not have a television with a built-in digital tuner (or have a set-top converter box), your television will not work after June 12, 2009. So, we encourage you to ACT NOW–because you can, and so you will be all set when the deadline rolls around.

Most WTTW viewers and members know that we've been preparing for this digital transition for years. Now it's your turn–because this transition may affect your television sets at home. Be assured that we are here to help you during this transition, so please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.