JOHNSTON, RI - With just six months to go until television stations stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today held a forum at the Johnston Senior Center to help inform seniors about the upcoming transition to digital television (DTV).

The digital television transition is scheduled for February 17, 2009. After that date, nearly 50,000 Rhode Island households with analog televisions that rely only on "rabbit ears" or roof top antennas -- and don't have digital TVs -- will no longer be able to watch TV unless they take steps to get ready for the transition. Televisions connected to cable or satellite will not experience any service disruptions due to the transition.

"It is important for Rhode Islanders to be aware of the steps they need to take during the transition to digital television so their service is not disrupted. When television stations make the change over to DTV next year, we don't want anyone to be caught off guard. We are trying to reach out to seniors in particular who may need help getting an analog-to-digital converter box that attaches to older TV sets," said Reed. "The analog to digital transition will provide viewers with a clearer image and improved sound. It will also free up critical frequency space for fire, police, and emergency personnel."

Senator Reed was joined at the event by Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena and Tony Zompa, Executive Director of the Johnston Senior Center. Local broadcast officials and senior advocates including Barbara Peters, Communications Director, AARP, RI Chapter; Lori Needham, Executive Director, RI Broadcasters Association; Lisa Churchville, President, WJAR-NBC 10, RI Broadcasters Association Board Member; and Kathleen Carland, Senior/Human Services Director, Town of North Kingstown, and Chair of the RI Senior Centers Association were also on hand to discuss options to help prevent service disruption.

"There are three simple options available to Rhode Islanders with analog televisions: keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box; connect to cable, satellite or other pay service; or purchase a new television, which all now come equipped with a digital tuner," noted Reed. "For folks who choose option one, the federal government is sponsoring a program that provides coupons to help cover the cost of purchasing a TV converter box."

Seniors may be eligible for a federal converter box coupon program to help pay for converter boxes that allow their current TVs to receive digital signals. Households may request up to two coupons, valued at $40 each. The coupons are good for 90 days and are free, but supplies are limited. Most converters cost between $40 to $70 and are available at major retail stores like Best Buy or Target.

In June, Reed sent a letter urging the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to allow consumers with expired coupons to reapply so that their coupons may be reissued. This would help more consumers obtain converter boxes in areas where they are out-of-stock or not widely available.

It is estimated that there are 30 million households nationwide that rely solely on an antenna for programming, and another 40 million more sets that occasionally use one to receive over-the-air broadcasts will need a converter box.

The conversion to DTV will free up parts of the broadcast spectrum that can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.