The government mandated switch to digital television is set for February 17, 2009. After that date, old analog TVs won't work without a special converter box.

If you watch WSAZ over the air with an antenna or rabbit years with an older television, you'll need one of those boxes. It plugs into the television to change your current analog signal into a digital one.

The government and broadcasters, across the country, are rushing to get viewers ready for the big switch before it's too late.

Aaron Withrow is the Engineering Manager here at WSAZ. Apathy, in this case, can cause your screen to go dark. Aaron says, "it's a big mistake not doing anything, not paying attention." He says if that happens one day you'll turn on your analog TV and nothing will be there.

Beginning the week of January 7th, the government is offering $40 coupons that would slash the price of one of the converter boxes down to $10 or $20.

For more information call (888)DTV-2009 or go up to the top our screen at WSAZ.com and click on the tab marked HD-TV