Leichtman says 14 percent of U.S. households with at least one TV do not subscribe to a pay TV service -- meaning they will need to get a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay subscription to continue watching television. (On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local stations must switch their analog signals to digital.)
In addition, another 24 percent of U.S. households have at least one TV that only receives broadcast programming via an off-air antenna. That group will also need to either replace that set with a Digital TV or connect a digital converter or pay TV box to it.
Bruce Leichtman, president of the research group, said 84 percent of adults have heard of the Digital TV switch, but a significant number falsely believe it will not impact their homes.
"General awareness of the digital transition has significantly increased in the past year, but many still need to better understand the implications of the transition," Leichtman says.
For instance, the study found that 30 percent of non-pay TV viewers believe the transition will have no impact on their sets. In addition, 41 percent of pay TV subscribers with at least one broadcast-only TV also think the transition will not affect them.
The study's results are based on a survey of 1,601 randomly selected households.
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