Posted at: 06/05/2009 11:37 AM
Updated at: 06/05/2009 3:39 PM

Print Story  Email to a Friend

Digital TV Switch Nearing for Minnesota TV Stations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Many Minnesota television stations face a deadline this week for switching their signals to all digital.

But Jim du Bois of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association expects the stations will make the transition by Friday's deadline.

Du Bois says about 30 percent of Minnesota TV stations made the switch by the previous Feb. 17 deadline or earlier. Congress delayed the deadline for the switch to June 12.

Three assistance centers will be set up in Twin Cities shopping malls to help viewers make the transition.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

WASHINGTON, DC –  Federal Communications Commission staff will be in Albert Lea, Austin, and Mason City from June 8 through June 12 to help consumers who still need to prepare for the June 12, 2009 digital television transition.

In the Rochester-Mason City-Austin TV market, television stations KAAL, KIMT, and KYIN will cease their analog broadcasts by early afternoon on June 12. The market’s other full power stations stopped analog broadcasts in February and May. 

The FCC’s digital TV-transition-related activities will include the public DTV Help Clinics listed below.  At these events, FCC staff will brief consumers on the transition to digital television and demonstrate how to hook up and operate converter boxes. 
 
Staff can also answer questions about the Converter Box Coupon Program, which is now accepting applications from consumers whose coupons expired without being redeemed. The program will accept coupon applications until July 31, 2009, if funds are available to fill those requests. 

Further information about the Converter Box Coupon Program can be obtained at https://www.dtv2009.gov/CouponProgramUpdate.aspx.

Walk-in DTV Help Clinics

MONDAY, JUNE 8

WHAT:  
DTV Help Clinic at Albert Lea Public Library, (afternoon/Evening)
WHEN:   
1pm – 7pm
WHERE: 
211 E. Clark St. Albert Lea, MN 56007
LOCAL SITE CONTACT:   
(507) 377-4350

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

WHAT: DTV Help Clinic at Albert Lea Public Library
WHEN: 10 am – 1 pm
WHERE: 211 E. Clark St. Albert Lea, MN 56007
LOCAL SITE CONTACT: (507) 377-4350

WHAT: DTV Help Center at Austin Public Library
WHEN: 3pm - 7pm
WHERE: 323 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912
LOCAL SITE CONTACT: (507) 433-2391

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

WHAT:  
DTV Help Clinic at the Austin Public Library (afternoon/evening)
WHEN: 
12pm – 6pm
WHERE:  323 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912
LOCAL SITE CONTACT:  
(507) 433-2391

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

WHAT: DTV Help Clinic at Southbridge Mall (late afternoon/evening)
WHEN: 2pm – 8pm
WHERE: 100 South Federal Ave., Mason City, IA 50401
LOCAL SITE CONTACT: (641) 423-6688

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

WHAT: DTV Help Clinic at Southbridge Mall (morning through early evening)
WHEN: 10am – 6pm
WHERE: 100 South Federal Ave. Mason City, IA 50401
LOCAL SITE CONTACT: (641) 423-6688