Approximately 56 percent of full-power television broadcasters are ready for the February 2009 digital television transition, while 41 percent are still working to meet their goals, according to a Thursday report from the Federal Communications Commission.
Of the 1,798 broadcast stations in the country, 1,002 have completed the necessary work and need only turn off their analog signals next year.
In order to free up valuable spectrum, television broadcasters have been ordered by Congress to shift from analog to digital signals on February 17, 2009. That requires equipment upgrades and technical planning, a process that has been ongoing for years.
Approximately 41 percent of stations are still working to be DTV ready, though they expect to be compliant by February.
Among the issues faced by the stations are coordination with officials on the Mexican border, clearance from Fish and Wildlife officials, local land use approvals, coordination with other stations, setting up post-transition DTV channels, and financial problems.
Of the 1,798 broadcast stations in the country, 1,002 have completed the necessary work and need only turn off their analog signals next year.
In order to free up valuable spectrum, television broadcasters have been ordered by Congress to shift from analog to digital signals on February 17, 2009. That requires equipment upgrades and technical planning, a process that has been ongoing for years.
Approximately 41 percent of stations are still working to be DTV ready, though they expect to be compliant by February.
Among the issues faced by the stations are coordination with officials on the Mexican border, clearance from Fish and Wildlife officials, local land use approvals, coordination with other stations, setting up post-transition DTV channels, and financial problems.
