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Many countries have or will be switching from analog television to digital television.
Canada
Canada is set to make the switch to digital on August 31, 2011. An estimated 3 million analog TV sets in Canada are not compatible with digital signals and not connected to cable or satellite. There are more than 750 over-the-air analog TV transmitters in our country (CAB Update, 08/08/2008).
Canadians who don't live in big cities (or in a provincial or territorial capital) won't be getting digital television over-the-air. The CRTC has set the benchmark at cities with populations of 300,000-plus, with exceptions for the capitals. So Iqaluit will have digital transmitters, but cities such as Kingston, Sudbury, and Kelowna will not (Cartt, 07/07/2009).
Here are some key articles about the transition:
Initiatives for Canada's Digital Transition
Broadcasters Need to Get Moving on Digital
Suggestions for Canada's Digital Transition
Concern Over Digital Switch
Poll Says Losing Free TV Signals Unfair
CBC Can't Afford Shift to Digital
United States
After the initial February 17, 2009 digital transition date was pushed back, the United States made the switch on June 12, 2009.
As of August 31, 2009, only 710,000 homes could not receive a digital signal. That means that 99.4% of U.S. homes are now able to receive a digital signal (Broadcasting & Cable, 09/08/2009).
To read about education efforts, testing, problems, and funding for the transition, click here.
Worldwide
Digital Switchover in the United Kingdom
Digital TV in Western Europe
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