The FCC reports that 927 TV stations in the U.S. will switch to digital on June 12, with 158 stations wanting to switch earlier than that. Almost half of those say they want to switch on April 16, the earliest the FCC will allow them. While over 600 TV stations have already pulled the plug, the remaining 1,000+ stations cover the majority of the country.
The 927 stations are ready to go. The other 158 have to be approved by the FCC. It will need to do this quickly since the 75 or so stations switching on April 16 need to start informing their viewers immediately since there is a mandatory 30-day notification requirement by the FCC.
Major TV network affiliates that want to make the switch early can't all go in the same market unless one station stays on with at least an analog nightlight service, similar to the rules for stations that wanted to make the switch on February 17. The FCC considers major network affiliates a key news and information outlet in each market.
TV stations that plan to keep their analog signals until June 12 will be locked into that decision except for extenuating circumstances like financial hardship.
Source: Broadcasting & Cable, 03/18/2009