Tonight, broadcasters across Pennsylvania, Maine and North Carolina are gearing up to conduct some of the largest statewide analog shut-off tests yet.

At 6:25 p.m. (EST), approximately 40 stations across Pennsylvania's six media markets will either turn off their analog signal for 60 seconds or broadcast a message informing viewers that they are not ready for the transition to digital television. This represents the broadest coordinated DTV transition test to date by broadcasters to help raise awareness of the upcoming switchover among consumers.

In Maine, approximately 12 stations will participate in a statewide test that begins at 6:28 p.m. (EST) and also runs for 60 seconds. Analog viewers will see a full-screen graphic with a special phone number that anyone in the state can call to get more information. The toll-free hotline, sponsored by the Maine Association of Broadcasters and its member stations, will operate through late February to answer questions about the tests and the DTV transition in general.

With 15 stations participating, the length of the test in North Carolina will vary by station. Nearly 150 stations in 49 markets have already conducted such tests aimed at helping viewers determine if their TV sets are digital-ready.