During the DTV transition, stations have been operating with two call signs: a –TV suffix call sign for their analog transmissions and a –DT suffix call sign for their digital transmission. In a public notice issued last week, the FCC clarified that stations may elect to use either a –TV or –DT call sign (or a four letter call sign if it does not require a suffix because it is not in use by any other station) after the DTV transition has been completed.

The call sign system will assign default call signs based on pre-transition status. Therefore, stations that were operating both analog and digital services before the transition will be assigned their analog call sign (i.e. WFCC or WFCC-TV). Digital-only stations that did not have an analog channel will be assigned their –DT suffix call sign by default.

Stations may change their default call signs free of charge by accessing the Commission’s online call sign authorization and reservation system at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/callsign/prod/main.html. Stations transitioning from digital to analog may change their call sign anytime after they have permanently completed their transition. Digital-only stations may change their call sign after the June 12 transition.

You can read the call sign Public Notice here.