According to a new poll released by NAB, more than eight out of 10 American households that will be most impacted by the switch to digital television (DTV) have taken action to ready their homes.

A national telephone survey of 2,650 households conducted January 2-6 found that 82 percent of over-the-air television households have taken steps to prepare for the transition by learning more about their options in getting DTV, applying for a converter box coupon or completing their upgrade to DTV.

Among over-the-air households who are currently receiving digital signals, 76 percent reported an improvement in the quality of their television reception.

Awareness of the DTV transition nationally remains sky high with 97 percent of all households either aware that TV is switching to digital, knowledgeable that the transition will impact over-the-air signals or able to previously identify the correct transition date. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 percent.

"These findings make clear that there is universal awareness of the DTV transition, with most Americans having gotten the message, understanding what they need to do and taking steps to ensure their homes are ready," Seth Geiger, president of SmithGeiger LLC, which conducted the poll.

NAB commissioned the survey as part of its massive DTV education campaign valued at more than $1 billion to ensure that no consumer loses access to free broadcast television due to a lack of information about the transition.