WASHINGTON -- The majority of U.S. households that receive their television signals over the air are still unaware of the digital TV transition even though an estimated 22 million over-the-air homes need to make some kind of digital decision by Feb. 17, 2009, according to an Association of Public Television Stations survey.

The bulk of the survey participants -- 61 percent -- had no idea that the DTV transition was taking place. Ten percent said they had limited awareness, while 25 percent said they were somewhat aware or very aware. While some respondents were aware of the digital transition, 53 percent had no idea when analog transmissions were scheduled to be turned off.

Roughly 45 percent of respondents to APTS' survey said they will either "do nothing" or "don't know" what option they will take to obtain digital signals. Nineteen percent will purchase a converter box, 17 percent are likely to sign up for cable TV service, and 9 percent will sign up for satellite TV. Another 9 percent indicated they would buy a digital television set so that they can continue to receive over-the-air broadcasts.

The survey results are based on an overall sample of 2,000 U.S. households conducted in the third quarter of 2006. Approximately 19 percent of these households said they receive television programming solely over the air -- not having a subscription to either cable TV or satellite TV services.