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Currently, much of the UFH and VHF bands are wasted-- NTSC signals tend to interfere with each other if they're in adjacent frequencies. If, however, the stations all switch to digital television, the spectrum required will be somewhat less than it is today. The unused spectrum can then be sold off or relicensed. Some of that unused spectrum apparently will go to "emergency services", so there's a bit of "homeland security" element to it.
At some point, the analog signals will be shut off. In the meantime, there's a phased in requirement for including atsc tuners in television sets, starting with the bigger displays. By 2008, all televison sets 13 inches and larger will be required to have atsc tuners (or no tuner at all)
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