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American Forces Network’s broadcast will no be longer available to viewers using conventional roof-top aerials or old-style rabbit ears in South Korea starting May 1, AFN Korea announced last week.

Those viewers were able to watch AFN’s Prime Pacific channel, which broadcast a line-up of American dramas, sit-coms, talk shows news and reality television along with locally produced news and information.

While the over-the-air analog broadcast will stop, AFN still will be available to off-base customers using a satellite decoder, according to a network news release.

Satellite decoders can be purchased or leased at the Army and Air Force Exchange service stores. U.S. government ID card holders living off-base in Korea are authorized to use AFN decoders that will enable them to continue to watch AFN after the analog broadcast ends.

The move is part of a transition to digital television and will not affect viewers on U.S. military installations in Korea.

“This transition will allow AFN Korea to change its programming to add additional sports and entertainment programming,” said Lt. Col. Eric C. Bloom, AFN Korea Commander. “AFN Korea is the last to make the transition. AFN Japan and Europe have already made the transition.”

Over-the-air radio broadcasts will continue.

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