PRESS RELEASE:

Summit County officials have decided to make the switch to digital television beginning the week of April 6. This change applies to certain households living in the Park City or Woodland/Francis areas. Residents who watch television using an antenna, will lose their television signal if they don't have a converter box or a new digital television before then. Cable and satellite subscribers will not be affected.

"If you currently watch KUED on Channel 39 in Park City, or Channel 26 in Woodland, your analog signal will soon be converted to digital," explains Phil Titus, KUED director of Engineering. He notes that this change affects all Utah commercial stations that are broadcast over the air in those communities.

Once the channels have been converted to digital, television viewers will need to have either a converter box for older TV sets or they will need a newer set with a built-in digital tuner. Over-the-air viewers will still need to use an antenna to get a signal. In general, reception of digital television will require the same type of antenna viewers currently use to get good quality reception.

"This would be a good time to check the quality of your antenna," Titus says. "Make sure your antenna is UHF capable, or you'll have trouble receiving a picture. Also make sure your antenna is pointed toward the same direction you have been receiving signals from and don't forget to re-scan your converter box for channels. If you are currently watching digital channels in these areas, you will need to re-scan when the change occurs."

For more information on the transition, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or go on line to DTV2009.gov. or call the Summit County Office at 435-336-3250.