WMFE moved forward with the Feb. 17 analog shut-off date, switching off the analog signal at 11:59 p.m.

At midnight on February 17, 2009, WMFE stopped broadcasting in analog and switched to 100 percent digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting provides a clearer picture and more programming options and frees up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

Choose your current television service to find out what you need to do to prepare for the digital transition.
Analog/Antenna
Digital Cable
HD Ready Set
DirecTV/Satellite

Why the Switch?
DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting enables television stations to offer dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – full-power over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on June 12, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off also frees up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs.

What are the benefits of DTV?
Digital television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality, DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of television programming at once. This is known as “multicasting.” DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology.

For questions about digital television and the analog shut off please check our Frequently Asked Questions or call us at 407-273-2300, ext. 175.