DENVER -- After careful consideration and review, KMGH-TV, Denver's ABC7, will terminate analog service on April 16, the station announced Tuesday.

Recently passed legislation allows TV stations to terminate analog service earlier than the new transition deadline of June 12.

This DTV transition will now provide the Denver market with a full power over-the-air digital signal from KMGH-TV.

"After evaluating the recent early DTV switch around the country and the increased DTV readiness in our market, I believe we need to make the transition in April," said Vice President and General Manager, Byron Grandy. "It’s not an easy decision but given our unique circumstances I have confidence it's in the best interest of all of our viewers to switch on April 16."

The unique set of circumstances for KMGH-TV concerns the current over-the-air digital signal.

KMGH-TV's current DTV coverage is significantly less than what the station would like. In December 2008, there was a failure in the tower/antenna system used by KMGH-TV, forcing the station to reduce digital power and greatly limiting the availability of KMGH-TV's digital over the air service.

"I have always been concerned that thousands of viewers now making the transition and installing DTV converter boxes are not able to receive our signal. With DTV readiness increasing and more folks receiving converter boxes I do not want to add to the confusion by continuing to offer a very limited digital signal," Grandy said.

KMGH-TV will be following the FCC guidelines to educate and inform viewers in our market about the upcoming DTV switch. KMGH-TV will be providing DTV educational information on television, online at TheDenverChannel.com plus help centers and phone numbers.

This outreach will provide viewers access to important information explaining the impact this transition will have on television viewing.

KMGH-TV has already participated in several Federal Communications Commission sponsored DTV Walk-in centers and will continue to coordinate with the FCC and Colorado Broadcasters Association in the future.