To better prepare viewers in the Tennessee Valley, all Chattanooga broadcast television stations will participate in a nationwide effort to test their readiness for the switch to digital television.

WDEF (Channel 12), WDSI (Channel 61), WFLI (Channel 53), WRCB (Channel 3), WTCI (Channel 45) and  WTVC (Channel  9) will all participate at 6:28pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. At that time, viewers who are not ready for the digital conversion will see a message on their screen advising them what to do. If the viewer’s television set is ready for the conversion, there will be no change in programming.

At 6:28pm, the stations will simultaneously interrupt regular programming on their analog channels to replicate what will happen on February 17, 2009 when all analog broadcast television stations will be required to sign off.  Regular programming will be uninterrupted on each station’s digital channel.

The following viewers should not experience any interruption in service: Those who have television sets connected to a cable system or satellite service provider; viewers who have a digital television set attached to an antenna; viewers who have an analog television set attached to a digital converter box.

The only viewers who should experience a disruption in their over-the-air service are those viewers who have an analog television set which is used for over-the-air reception.

The local broadcasters are conducting this “soft DTV test” to educate all viewers in the area about the need to prepare for the digital conversion.  Station personnel hope the test will encourage viewers who experience a disruption in service to call and get answers to their questions quickly so they will avoid a permanent interruption of service on February 17, 2009.

Local cable companies and satellite service providers are working with the local broadcasters to make this test as successful as possible.

The Chattanooga test is part of a nationwide effort to increase awareness of the digital conversion. For more information on the switch to digital television and an explanation of the difference between digital television and high definition television, visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 888-DTV-2009.