<P> The DTV (an abbreviation of digital television, also called digital broadcast) transition in the United States was the switchover from analog (the traditional method of transmitting television signals) to exclusively digital broadcasting of free over-the - air television programming . According to David Rehr, then president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, this transition represented "the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced ." For full - power TV stations, the transition went into effect on June 12, 2009, with stations ending regular programming on their analog signals no later than 11: 59pm local time that day . </P> <P> Under the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, full - power broadcasting of analog television in the United States was initially planned to have ceased after February 17, 2009 . To help U.S. consumers through the conversion, the Act also established a federally sponsored DTV Converter Box Coupon Program . </P>

When were tvs required to have digital tuners