BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 27: Digital ready television sets wait to be sold on display in a shop on February 27 2008 in Bath, United Kingdom. The original analogue television signal, used in the UK since the begining of television broadcasts in the 1930s and 1940s, is being switched over to digital, region by region from now until 2012. The new service will offer more channels and is said to be higher quality picture but there are concerns that not all households in the UK are ready for the change. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Do cable networks, like CNN, MSNBC, Lifetime, etc., have to switch to digital broadcasting too?
No. The current requirement to switch from analog to digital only applies to full-power broadcast TV stations, which use public airwaves to provide free over-the-air programming.
However, as cable providers convert to digital transmissions over their systems, you may need to subscribe to their digital tier to continue to receive non-broadcast programming.
Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service?
Your cable system decides when and whether to carry programming on a digital tier, which may mean that you will need digital equipment. However, all of your local stations will continue to be available in analog format for as long as your cable system offers any analog service.
