The DTV channel line-up is a bit like musical chairs. The VHF (channels 2-13) and UHF (14-51) will remain. During the digital transition, which ends Friday, June 12, stations were broadcasting in two formats, analog and digital. To compensate for this the FCC assigned temporary positions in the UHF-band for operating stations to broadcast their digital signals.

The option given broadcast stations were that after the transition was over (June 12) they, should they want to, could return to their original assigned frequencies.

Channels 2-6, once prime-ground for broadcasters, in the digital-world, it's simply lousy territory. The best frequencies are VHF Channels 7-13, and UHF channels 14-51.

Of the more than 1800 television stations in the U.S., only 43 have chosen to return to their old channels in the spectrum of channels 2-6.

Are you following this, so, far?

Just, in case your not here's an example:
Let's use KCBS Channel 2 in Los Angeles.
Pre-digital days broadcast was on Channel 2
Digital signal during "transition" was broadcast on channel 60. Final election (choice) is for broadcasting on channel 43. The new DTV station will be KCBS-TV channel 43.

So, you're probably asking, where did channel 43 come into the mix? Called "final election" (choice) is where the individual broadcaster selects a channel not occupied by another station to finally locate forever. KCBS-TV selected channel 43.

Now, there is a twist. I'm assuming there must have been some paperwork to fill out so as "to secure" the old channel location because there has appeared a few broadcasters were late in securing their original channel location and the original was given to another station. (confused, yet?)

I, too, have been very confused as to what channels will there be? Will they remain as always, or will DTV present a new set of channels?

I finally found an article which, finally, explains the whole mystery. The next three paragraphs are taken from the article titled "Hey Kids, Time For A Game Of Musical Chairs,!" It was written by PETER PUTMAN, CTS - a digital expert. ***

Mr. Putman explains:
"The FCC has given broadcasters several chances to pick their final digital channel once the analog transmitters go dark on 6/12/09. In more than one case, a station with an analog high-band VHF assignment (like WABC-7 in New York) has opted to give up its UHF assignment (in this case, channel 45) and move back to that old, familiar VHF channel.

In other cases, stations didn’t move quickly enough to keep their old analog VHF channel, like WCAU-10 in Philadelphia. Since VHF 10 has been allocated to a station in nearby Harrisburg, WCAU will shut down their digital station on UHF 67 (a channel they would have lost anyway, as it’s out of the DTV “core”) and park their semi on UHF 34, currently occupied by WYBE-DT, who will move back to their original UHF channel 35.

In yet other markets, a new digital station can’t even begin broadcasting until its FCC-assigned channel is vacated by another temporary DTV station. (Remember playing musical chairs as a kid?) WNYA-DT in Albany, NY has been assigned VHF 13. Unfortunately, it’s currently in use by WNYT-TV, who also operates an ATSC(Analog) station on neighboring VHF 12. Once WNYT-TV (analog) goes dark, WNYA-DT can light up..."***

With the big-switchover taking place Friday, you're probably wondering "what channels are where-in-your-area?

And, if you go to this website you can find out your local broadcast channel lineup - once there scroll down and then select your market, and that will bring up each individual channel and service map. Yea, you will have to go through manually the list for your market area...

Here's the website:
http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/

(If you have a DTV - HDTV and are planning to use only broadcast TV you'll need a UHF antenna, not the old VHF style. Many made were combos, and those will work.)

After 2/17/09, you may have to replace this antenna…

…with one of these for DTV reception, although something smaller will probably do the trick.
(both antenna images via Peter Putman)

***Some research comes from "Hey Kids, Time For A Game Of Musical Chairs!" by PETER PUTMAN, CTS.(1)
The complete article text:
http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/MusicalChairs.html

This article was written by Joseph E. Howard and
is Copyright © 2009 Pink Taxi Communications - XCM Inc.

(1) Mr. Peter Putman retains all rights to his referenced article.

Links to help-sites:

DTV Glossary of terms:
http://www.wfyi.org/dtvGlossary.asp

Official Transition Site - FCC
http://www.dtv.gov/

Or, you can call your local TV stations, or visit their websites.

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