Press Release

Gutierrez Announces TV Converter Box Coupon Redemption Data

Top 5 Markets: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York

RICHFIELD, Minn.—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released national coupon redemption data for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program and announced Minneapolis/St. Paul is among the top five markets to redeem coupons. Gutierrez was joined by a representative of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar* and Best Buy Senior Vice President Mike Mohan in hosting an event at Best Buy headquarters to increase awareness of the digital television transition. The transition requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after Feb. 17, 2009, just over 200 days away, when analog televisions will no longer work unless they are equipped with a converter box.

“Minneapolis-St. Paul has one of the highest percentages of over-the-air households and I am very pleased to see the strong participation among consumers in this region in the coupon program,” Gutierrez said. “With the digital television transition just over 200 days away, I urge all consumers who need a converter box to act now to request coupons and to redeem them within 90 days.”

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) TV Converter Box Coupon Program permits all households to request up to two coupons each worth $40 toward the purchase of a certified converter box. Consumers can purchase a converter box at one of the more than 26,000 participating local, online or phone retailers. In addition, consumers should call ahead to ensure the desired converter box is available.

Regional Market Data:
The top five states redeeming coupons are Texas, California, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. Puerto Rico ranked number six. The top five local markets redeeming coupons are Minneapolis/St. Paul, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Dallas/Ft. Worth. To obtain data for all local markets, go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/DTV_DMA.pdf. The TV Converter Box Coupon Program redemption data is updated weekly to help retailers accurately gauge demand for converter boxes.

National Update:
NTIA successfully launched the Coupon Program on Jan. 1, 2008. Since that time, consumers across the nation have been ordering coupons through one of four methods: via a toll-free number (1-888-DTV-2009); online at www.DTV2009.gov; by mail; or by fax. More than 21.3 million coupons have been requested and more than 6.6 million coupons have been redeemed. For all households, the coupon redemption rate is 45.8 percent and for households that rely on an antenna, the coupon redemption rate is 54.6 percent. Redemption details are updated weekly online at www.ntiadtv.gov/coupon_stats.cfm.

NTIA recently announced that more than 150 converters have been certified, including 63 that enable viewers to watch analog broadcasts from low- power television stations and digital programs from full-power television stations.

Of the certified or coupon-eligible converter boxes, 46 are currently available in stores as listed on the NTIA Web site. NTIA urges consumers to shop around and to call ahead to make sure converter boxes are in stock before they purchase a converter. A complete list of certified converters is available at https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm.

Background:
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital broadcasts after Feb. 17, 2009. The Act directed NTIA to establish and administer the $1.5 billion TV Converter Box Coupon Program, which is funded by the $19 billion airwaves auction and not tax dollars.

The digital TV transition will offer consumers a clearer picture, more programming choices and free up the airwaves for better communications among emergency first responders and new telecommunications services.

By Feb. 17, 2009, consumers need to look at each analog television set in their home that is not connected to cable, satellite, or other pay television service and make a decision:

• They may connect it to cable, satellite, or pay television service;
• They may replace it with a TV with a digital tuner; or
• They may keep it working with a TV converter box.
  

Some viewers watch programs by translators or other low-power stations that may continue broadcasting analog signals after February 17, 2009. Those viewers may wish to select a converter box that will pass through analog signals.

Households may request one or two coupons, which are worth $40 each and can be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. Between now and March 31, 2009, households may request two coupons while funding is available in one of four ways:

• Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov.
• Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)
• Hearing impaired may call 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 a.m.—9 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday
• Mail a coupon application to: P.O. Box 2000, Portland, Ore. 97208-2000
• Fax a coupon application to1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
  

NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and participating retailers when coupons are mailed. By law, coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed, and only one coupon can be used to purchase each coupon-eligible converter box.

To learn more about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, eligible converters and participating retailers, go to www.dtv2009.gov.

*This has been updated from a previously released version.