Rogers State University Public Television will stop broadcasting its analog signal Tuesday, February 17 at 9 a.m. and will only transmit its signal digitally.
RSU Public TV joins many Oklahoma television stations in shutting off their analog transmissions Tuesday.
Although recent Congressional legislation allows broadcasters to delay their switch to digital until June 12, RSU Public TV decided it was in the best interest of the viewers and the station to continue the switch as planned, said Dan Schiedel, general manager.
“We apologize to our viewers for any inconvenience this may cause and regret that viewers who have not prepared for the digital transition will be left without our programming,” Schiedel said.
Viewers who receive their television reception over the air on analog TV sets must either purchase new television sets with built-in digital tuners or purchase converter boxes that translate the digital signal into the analog format for older television sets.
“RSU Public Television has worked hard during the past year to inform viewers about the switch to digital,” he said.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration is issuing each household up to two $40 coupons to help defray the cost of converter boxes. More information and applications for coupons are available by visiting www.dtv2009.gov or calling (888) 388-2009.
Continuing to broadcast an analog signal would be a drain on the viewer supported television station’s resources, said Jim Mertins, chief engineer for the station.
“We are broadcasting our analog signal on an 18-year-old transmitter,” Mertins said. “Many replacement parts are no longer available and it is cost prohibitive to continue supporting the analog equipment.”
Digital signals offer viewers improved picture quality unaffected by weather conditions and an increase in the number of available channels, he said.
RSU Public TV broadcasts on digital channel 35.1 and 35.2, Tulsa and Claremore cable channel 19, satellite channel 35 across northeastern Oklahoma.
More information is also available by contacting RSU Public TV at 1-800 823-7210 or by visiting www.rsupublictv.org