Coloradans reliant on free over- the-air television might not have until June 12 to prepare for all-digital broadcasts as stations decide whether to shut off analog transmissions sooner.
Denver-area stations are considering a plan that would unify them to a single day to end analog signals — early April is the current choice — according to the Colorado Broadcasters Association.
However, other stations, mostly in Grand Junction, are planning to shut off analog signals by Feb. 17, the original date Congress established for the switch to all-digital broadcasts, CBA president and chief executive Marilyn Hogan said.
Congress last week approved a delay for the digital transition until June 12, which President Barack Obama is expected to sign, but added a provision allowing stations the right to switch earlier.
Applications for stations wanting to switch to digital-only on Feb. 17 were due last night.
Requests to shut off analog television signals between Feb. 17 and June 12 are required at least 30 days in advance.
Television stations across the country are determining whether to end analog signals early, in large part because the power to generate two separate signals for the same programming can cost thousands of dollars.
“It’s very expensive for stations to maintain an analog signal,” Hogan said.
Discussions for Denver stations to make an April switch to digital-only television include a provision for two of them — KCNC-Channel 4 and PBS station KRMA-Channel 6 — to continue transmitting in analog long after. Those transmissions would contain an on-screen “crawler,” a message across the bottom of the screen informing viewers that the transition has occurred in Denver and what they can do to get digital signals.
The plan is still preliminary, Hogan said.
“The market is considering a unified approach to a shutoff date, and though we’re sticking with June 12, another date is still being discussed,” said Dennis Leonard, general manager of KDVR-Channel 31.
Though Rocky Mountain PBS Channel 6 would, under the plan, continue transmitting in analog after June, KCNC would be a “night light,” Hogan said, providing only on-screen information to viewers about the transition.
Staff writer Joanne Ostrow contributed to this report.
David Migoya: 303-954-1506 or dmigoya@denverpost.com
