Augusta stations to make the switch

Augusta television stations and ETV are all going ahead with the digital transition, which will take place on Feb. 17.

ABC's affiliate WJBF News Channel 6, NBC's WAGT Augusta and CBS's WRDW News 12 will either cease all analog broadcasts on the effective date or act as a "night light station," meaning the station will discontinue regular programming on its analog channel.

Those TVs which will see nothing on Feb. 17 are those that still receive an analog signal via an antenna on top of the TV or on a roof, although digital converter boxes are available for such TVs.

"It all depends on what our corporate people say, but our strategy is to continue along as if we're going to shut off analog on the 17th," said Cary Hale, station engineer for WJBF News Channel 6. "It would cause more problems for people if we don't shut analog off."

Hale added it would cost WJBF a significant amount of money if it were to offer both analog and digital broadcasts.

This week, the U.S. House voted by majority to delay the transition until June 12 just as the U.S. Senate had done, saying millions of people are not ready for the switch. The bill is now with President Barack Obama, and he was the one who originally asked for the delay. Questions still surround the coupons for converter boxes as funding for those has run out. It could be considered as part of the economic stimulus package.

"We not only want people to have digital boxes before the 17th, but we need people to re-scan those digital boxes on the 18th. This is isolated to WRDW," Chief Executive Ed Elsner wrote in an e-mail.

Though WAGT is officially moving forward with the switch, it will be a "night light station."

"We will discontinue regular programming on our analog channel 26 at midnight Feb. 17. For the following two weeks on analog channel 26 we will broadcast DTV information and emergency information only," said Station Manager Mike Bell. "We will cease broadcasting on channel 26 at midnight on March 3."

Consumers that subscribe to a cable provider or satellite service will not be affected by the change.

Consumers who receive a signal with an antenna can either purchase a converter box, which is available at Wal-Mart, subscribe to a cable or satellite service or purchase a new TV with a digital tuner. Prices for converter boxes range between $50 and $70.

For more information, visit www.dtv.gov or call the Federal Communications Commission at (888) 835-5322.