So what's going on with this whole switch your cable for tv thing.?

Question

What exactly is going on. Who's safe, who Isn't safe?

Answer 1

Next year, on February 17, all high power over the air analog TV broadcasting will end in the US. Only people who receive their TV with an antenna are directly affected.

Satewllite TV is already digital.

Cable companies must continuye to carry the local over the air TV in analog form or provide converter boxers until 20212.

Many cable companies are already changing over much of their TV to digital.

Analog TV owners can continue to use an antenna if they use a digital to analog TV converter box.

The government is providing $40 discount coupons which will reduce the cost to less than $20, in most cases.

Up to two coupons per household can be applied for.

See links.

http://www.dtvanswers.com/

http://www.dtv.gov/DTV_booklet.pdf

https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

Answer 2

The transition affects full power Over The Air (OTA) broadcasts.  Old style analog TV will go away and everything will be digital.  If you receive your TV over an antenna, you must either upgrade to a Digital TV or get a converter box before February, 2009.  

If you subscribe to cable or satellite, you will not be immediately affected by the transition.  Cable and Satellite systems are supposed to support old style analog sets until about 2012.

I hope this helps.