Central Florida Digital TV Readiness Test

On February 17th 2009, TV broadcasters will be turning off their analog transmitters and you may loose TV service unless you or our TV service provider upgrades their equipment to allow the reception of digital television.

Will your television be ready?

WESH-TV is partnering with local stations all across Central Florida to test your TV for digital readiness. On Dec. 3. WESH-TV will briefly unplug its analog signal at 11:59 a.m. and 7:59 p.m. to allow you the chance to see if your TV is receiving a digital signal. If during the test you see this message "You're TV Passed The Test" -- your television is ready for the future. If during the test you saw a black screen, then you did not pass the test. Here are some things you can do:

1. If you receive your TV signal over the air using an antenna and you purchased your TV within the past 12 months, your TV may be tuned to an analog channel. Make sure you are tuned to a digital channel which is indicated by a channel number followed by dot one. If you still have problems, your antenna may need re-aimed towards Bithlo (our transmitter location) or may require maintenance or replaced.

2. If you receive your TV signal over the air using an antenna and you have a TV more than 1 year old, then you may need to obtain a converter box that will enable your TV to receive the new digital channels or you may need to purchase a new digital TV or you may need to subscribe to a Cable or Satellite Service or.

3. If you receive your TV signal through your apartment complex, condo association, home owners association or mobile home park then you may loose TV service after February 17th, 2009 unless your TV service provider upgrades their equipment to enable them to receive digital television. You should notify your landlord, housing or apartment complex, condo association or mobile home park about the results of this test and encourage them to upgrade their equipment to receive digital television signals before February 17th 2009.

4. If you receive your TV signal from a cable or satellite company, then you may have been watching from a TV that is not hooked up to an active cable outlet. You should ask your cable company to activate or install the outlet so you can watch cable service on that TV too. Also, it’s possible that your cable company has not yet converted to a digital system. You should call your provider to let them know the results of this test and find out their plan for providing you with digital service.