MUMBAI: The boards of directors of the ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliate organisations in the US have agreed to support a voluntary month-long ’quiet period’.

This will ensure that there is no disruption of local television service in the weeks leading up to and following the digital television transition in the US.

The affiliate boards’ endorsement comes following the National Association of broadcasters (Nab) Television Board of Directors’ pledge to continue making local television signals available to cable, satellite and telephone company distribution partners from 4 February - 4 March, 2009. Analogue television in the US will end on 17 February 2009.

Nab television board chairman K. James Yager says, "We are delighted that all of the affiliate boards have agreed to support the NAB Television Board initiative.

"This pledge -- coupled with our unprecedented campaign to educate America on the DTV transition -- will minimise consumer confusion and help local broadcasters and government achieve our joint objective of a seamless transition to the next generation of television."