Despite a congressional extension, all but two local televisions stations will discontinue their analog broadcasts, switching completely to digital signals, after Feb. 17.
KDLH-TV, Channel 3, a CBS affiliate, will maintain its analog broadcasting operations as it awaits the installation of a new high-power antenna.
And Al Harmon, general manager of WDSE-TV, Channel 8, a PBS station, said he probably will continue analog broadcasts until June 12, the new deadline established for a national conversion of all television broadcasts to digital signals.
"We want to be responsive to Congress and continue to provide analog service to elderly and disadvantaged viewers as they work to make this transition," Harmon said.
Originally, all stations were to cease analog broadcasts after Feb. 17, but the mandatory shift was postponed after a federal voucher program for digital conversion boxes ran short of money.
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WDIO-TV, Channel 10 and 13, and KBJR-TV, Channel 6, have both received permission from the Federal Communications Commission to proceed with the changeover at the stroke of midnight Feb. 17.
WDIO Station Manager Dave Poirier said so much time and effort has gone into educating viewers about the switch to digital that he believes a delay would confuse people.
Poirier suggests viewers reprogram televisions Feb. 18 to lock in digital signals and remove inactive analog frequencies.
