Why do we need to have to have digital TV's before 2009?

Question

last night i was watching TV and i saw a commercial saying that we need to have digital TV's by 2009.

why?

Answer 1

if you get your channels from an old antenna ( like one of those rabbit ear ones) your gonna need to buy a converter for a non-digital tv.  If you have cable or satellite though you don't have to worry about it

Answer 2

Congress mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting, also known as the digital television (DTV) transition, because all-digital broadcasting will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue). Also, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams (multicasting). In addition, some of the freed up frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers.