When all television stations begin broadcasting digital-only signals on Feb. 17th, 2009 [update: the transition will occur on June 12, 2009], as mandated by the Federal Government, the City of Seattle expects a number of citizens will be ready, simply by saying "out with the old, in with the new."

"We think that there will be a fair number between the holidays and the super bowl who are going to buy new HDTVs," said Jill Novik, Seattle Department of Information Technology.

In order for you to get a digital signal, you'll need to do one of the following:

- Have a new digital-ready television with the converter already included

- Have cable or satellite service.

- Or buy and hook up a DTV converter box. (The Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program provides two $40 converter box coupons per household through Mar. 21, 2009. Coupons expire 90 days after mailed and are available online at US Department of Commerce, or by calling 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

But if you're purchasing a new TV, the Emerald City wants you to be as green as possible.

"One thing we're a little concerned about is the disposal of old TVs," Novik said.

The city of Seattle tells KIRO 7 that it is developing a curbside recycling program for old TVs that will be ready in April of 2009: two months after the mandatory DTV transition [update: the transition will occur on June 12, 2009].

For a fee of around $20, your old TV, along with other electronic items, will be picked-up outside your home and recycled, but there are plenty of free options available after the first of the year.

The program is called E-Cycle Washington and includes 200 permanent drop-off sites.

So, whether you recycle that old TV now for free, or wait until curbside pick-up in April, the city of Seattle has one main message:

"We're encouraging people, please don't junk them," Novik said.

If you’ve got questions about the DTV transition, visit KIRO’s digital TV page anytime here and submit a question to our engineers.

For information on FREE TV recycling:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov

http://www.ecyclewashington.org/