9NEWS announced today that the TV station will end its analog transmission at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, April 16.
Channel 9 KUSA and Channel 20 will begin all-digital transmission from that day forward, the station said in a news release and a notice posted on its web site.
“9NEWS has led the market with our educational outreach, intensive promotion and frequent news segments on-air and on-line about digital TV,” said 9NEWS President and General Manager Mark Cornetta in a statement. “A little more than a year and a half ago, 9NEWS took the lead in educating the people of Denver. Research has shown, largely as a result of these efforts, the people of Denver are ready. They’re informed about digital TV, they’re knowledgeable about the benefits of this transition, and they’re eager to get it done.”
Channel 7, the ABC affiliate KMGH, will also go all digital on April 16, the station said in a story posted on its web site.
“After evaluating the recent early DTV switch around the country and the increased DTV readiness in our market, I believe we need to make the transition in April,” said Vice President and General Manager, Byron Grandy. “It’s not an easy decision but given our unique circumstances I have confidence it’s in the best interest of all of our viewers to switch on April 16.”
The federal government has extended the deadline for the digital television transition to June 12 but has provided that stations may begin sooner.
