Washington, D.C. - With the impending mandatory switch of all of the televisions within the United States to a digital signal, the FCC said that the transition will be everything but smooth. It advised broadcasters to step up their efforts locally in an attempt to better educate the public.

It will be broadcasters who will suffer if viewers have nothing to watch when the analog signals are turned off, said Robert McDowell of the FCC, and urged broadcaster to launch educational campaigns in local markets.

The switch to digital has been ordered by Congress in an attempt to free the public airwaves for use by other agencies, such as law enforcement and public safety. Even though the switch has been highly publicized it will still more than likely have glitches. "The transition will be messy ... but we will get through it," McDowell said

Almost 15% of households in the United States are equipped with analog television sets at this time, and could potentially be seeing their screens going black once the signals are shut off, said the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog group. If you own an analog television you have the choice to either ditch the old TV for a new one or purchase a converter box to receive the digital signal.

Consumers are being offered $40 in coupons to aid in the cost of the converter box, but there is no method of management for the anticipated last minute slew of consumers who may need coupons.