If you normally receive free television over-the-air - with rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna - then you'll have a problem come February17, 2009 when, by government mandate, the analog television system is turned off. In its place: digital television. Your analog TV set won't work unless you get a converter box. That device will receive the new digital signals and convert them to analog signals so your analog TV set can "see" them. The boxes cost about $50 each, but there's a government program to help you buy them. You can get a coupon by one of four ways:

1. Apply on line at www.dtv2009.gov
2. Call the 24-hour coupon hotline: 1-888-388-2009
3. Mail a coupon application to: PO Box 2000, Portland, Oregon
4. Fax a coupon application to 1-877-388-4632

You can download the application at this website: www.dtv2009.gov/docs/Coupon_Program_App_en.pdf

If you receive KSN from a cable system or by satellite, those distribution systems will, in effect, do the conversion for you so your analog TV set will be able to "see" the digital pictures.

Digital television does not "behave" like the analog system which is prone to electrical interference, i.e. from passing vehicles or thunderstorms. In the digital world, you'll either have a good picture or you won't have one at all. The simplest way to receive the new TV signals is to own a TV set with a digital tuner and hook up an outside antenna. The digital off air pictures will likely be the best quality too, since they will not have been "processed" by a cable company or satellite provider.

There are two kinds of digital television - standard definition and high definition. KSNW transmits all available HD programming in High Definition. KSN's satellite stations transmit those HD signals in standard definition; however, they will soon be transmitting the High Definition signals too.

Here's the current (digital) channel line up for the Kansas State Network stations:

KSNW - Wichita -- UHF Channel 45.
KSNC - Great Bend -- UHF Channel 22.
KSNG - Garden City -- UHF Channel 16.
KSNK - McCook/Oberlin -- VHF Channel 12.
KSNL - Salina -- UHF Channel 47.

KSNL in Salina is expected to go on the air in May 2008.

On February 17, 2009, KSNG will commence full power digital operation on VHF CH 11.

For questions, email generalmanager@ksn.com.

 For the Straight Talk on Digital Television, see our DTV page.