The federal government has set February 17, 2009 as the date when all television broadcast signals will have to be sent digitally. On that date, consumers with older, analog television sets will lose all their free, over-the-air programming unless they have purchased and installed specialized signal conversion equipment.

Congress has approved funding for a coupon program for consumers who want to purchase signal conversion equipment so they can continue to receive free, over-the-air programming on their old analog TV sets after the digital transition date. Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes.

It's still unclear what impact the digital transition will have on consumers who have cable service, but don't have a digital televison set or signal conversion equipment. It's possible cable companies will stop providing their customers with analog signals from local broadcasters after the transition date.