Despite pending legislation that would allow a delay, NewsChannel 7 and 2 other stations in the Wausau/Rhinelander Television Market will convert to all-digital broadcasts on February 17th, 2009.

The analog transmissions for WSAW NewsChannel 7, as well as WAOW and WJFW, will cease at noon on February 17th.

In a joint statement, the stations’ representatives said their research and conversations indicate that less than 1% of the households in the market are not yet prepared for the conversion from analog to digital.

On Wednesday, Congress will most likely pass a law to delay the conversion to June 12, 2009. However, that law would allow for stations to convert earlier. Officials have expressed concern that the government’s coupon program had built a waiting list of people who wish to purchase converter boxes.

The full joint press release can be found linked to above.