US analogue TV switch-off in 2009 The US Congress has approved plans to force broadcasters to switch off their analogue television signals by 2009. Setting a date of 17 February 2009 was called a "great technical revolution" by Republican politician Joe Barton, a main advocate for the change. Congress has allocated $1.5bn (£844m) to ensure Americans can convert their TV sets to receive digital signals. The analogue television switch-off in the UK is set to take place gradually from 2008-2012. The US measures, which were part of budget legislation, were passed in December, but Democrats in the Senate forced technical...