"Thursday January 1, 2009 will be the day America goes all digital. The analog television signals that have come into our homes over the air since the birth of TV will end the night before, and a great technical revolution that has been in the making for years will finally be complete," said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chairman of the committee.

In adopting a Dec. 31, 2008 date to end the transition, a clear majority of the Committee voted to pave the way for cutting-edge new television and wireless technology, while improving the communications capabilities of America's police, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. The legislation will also include a program to fund digital-to-analog converter boxes so no one will be left behind in the transition.

"Enactment of this legislation by December would give us three years to prepare for the transition. It includes a strong consumer education measure. And it helps ensure that all consumers have continued access to broadcast programming, regardless of whether they use analog or digital televisions, or whether they watch television signals broadcast by a local station or subscribe to pay-TV," Barton said.

Setting a final date for TV stations to end their analog broadcasts will free up the nation's airwaves for public safety and new wireless services. Ending the transition will open for auction the 700 MHz spectrum band, which is not only expected to raise $10 billion for the federal treasury, but will also free 60 Mhz of spectrum for next-generation wireless broadband service.