The nationwide conversion of analog television stations to all-digital stations took place Friday at midnight.
The local station of WLGA-TV has shut down its Analog Channel 66 and Digital Channel 31, and now offers Digital Channel 47.
WLGA-TV serves over 62,000 viewers in Columbus, Ga., Opelika, Ala., and surrounding areas.
For viewers who do not have cable, a digital converter box or DTV tuner will be needed in order to receive the new all-digital channel.
Some viewers will need to install an outdoor antenna in order to receive all local DTV stations with the strongest signal.
"There are a number of places to find them," said Bill Brooks, a WLGA-TV's general sales manager.
Converter boxes and outdoor antennas can be found at most local electronic stores.
The cost for each converter box ranges from $40 to $70.
"The one I bought for my home was about $50," Brooks said.
The government is giving out two coupons worth $40 a piece per household.
There is no cut-off date to buy a converter box, but consumers should check to make sure the coupons do not expire.
Those viewers who have already purchased converter boxes will need to re-scan them in order to pick up the Digital Channel 47 any day after June 12.
The re-scan is also needed for viewers to be able to receive all other local TV stations' DTV channels after June 13.
"I used to work for a cable company, so I knew I was DTV ready, I just made sure to re-scan," said Eli McCrory, a junior in building science.
The conversion from analog to all-digital only affected the over-the-air and satellite TV viewers whose TV sets are analog.
"I am a satellite subscriber, so I just checked my TV's owners manual to make sure it was a digital television that would pick up the all-digital stations, because my TV is a few years old," said Channing Leger, a junior in landscape horticulture.
The switch to digital from analog should have taken place automatically for current cable customers, Brooks said.
"If you wake up and see snow on Saturday, that should be a sign," Brooks said.
WLGA-TV is prepared for customers who may not understand and do not know how to handle the all-digital switch.
"We are ready for that, and we encourage them to call us," Brooks said.
In addition to over the phone customer service, there are also 150 walk-in clinics across the country. One can be found in Birmingham and two in Columbus, Ga.
The support centers help with ordering a coupon, buying a converter box, basic installation, channel scanning and any other questions viewers might have.
The digital switch was ordered by Congress and was originally set to take place on Feb. 17.
However, some stations, such as WLGA-TV, decided to go with the option of giving viewers a grace period, but this time there will be "no more grace periods," Brooks said.
"Everyone across the country will be converted,." Brooks said.
WLGA-TV would also like its viewers to know that although it has switched to Digital Channel 47, nothing else has or will change.
All area residents will continue to receive WLGA-TV's free independent programming.
For more information on the digital TV conversion log on at DTVANSWERS.com, dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALLFCC.
Those Web sites also offer information on learning how to order a coupon.
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