February 17, 2009 could be a life-changing day for Americans who like TV, as there is a federal mandate that requires all broadcasters to complete their switch from analog to digital TV signals.

The upcoming transition - and the questions about it - will trigger a surge in media attention, driving coverage of TVs and consumer electronics in general, well beyond the technology and product pages.

Megan Pollock, manager of public policy communications for the Consumer Electronics Association, says that an increase ...