Governor Baldacci today joined members of the Maine Association of Broadcasters and legislators to intensify outreach efforts informing citizens about the conversion of analog to digital television broadcasting. The transition, mandated by the federal government, will be complete February 17, 2009, when analog channels will stop broadcasting.

An estimated 87,000 Maine households currently receive only over-the-air signals through analog TV sets. The Governor said that it's important that these households understand the options available to them so that they do not loose reception to free TV programming when the transition is complete.

"I am particularly concerned with the impact to public safety and emergency preparedness," said Governor Baldacci. "We want to make sure that all Mainers are prepared to make the switch, so that no one loses access to important life-saving information. In the winter months in Maine, people need access to uninterrupted TV service in order to stay informed about severe weather, school closings and road conditions."

The governor said that people in at-risk groups in particular -- the elderly, low-income families, the disabled, non-English speakers -- may need help with getting a converter box coupon, hooking up their converter box, or purchasing a new digital TV. The converter boxes will allow older televisions to receive the new digital signals.

The governor proclaimed today Digital TV Awareness Day in the State of Maine.

"As we did during the ice storm ten years ago, we ask Mainers to reach out to their friends and family to make sure they understand the changes that are coming, and to help them overcome the technological challenges of this transition," said the governor.

For more information on the DTV transition, please visit www.DTV.gov