Press Release

Gutierrez Announces TV Converter Box Coupon Program on Track, Retailers Open for Business

$40 Coupons to be Mailed Out Starting Next Week, 9,700 Retailers Ready to Accept Coupons
B-Roll Footage Available on Friday, February 15—See Information Below

WASHINGTON—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced today that Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which runs the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, will begin mailing $40 coupons to consumers next week--one year from the date of the digital television transition—to be used to purchase eligible TV converter boxes. Converter boxes are one option to keep analog televisions that rely on an antenna working when full-power television stations convert to all-digital signals on February 17, 2009.

“With the first coupons going out to households nationwide, the TV Converter Box Program is on track,” said Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. “Retailers nationwide have said they will be ready with boxes, trained employees, and open for business to accept coupons. We are encouraged by the amount of coupons requested and the number of participating retailers as we mark one year until the transition.”

Since the program opened on January 1, NTIA has accepted more than 2.6 million household requests for nearly 5 million coupons. More than 9,700 retailer locations will be participating in the program at the outset, including locations in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Participating stores will have completed certification in the Coupon Program, will have converter boxes for sale, will have employees trained, and will be prepared to redeem coupons. NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and nearby participating retailers, such as Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Wal-Mart and other local retailers, within the coupon mailer. This information, along with any updates, also will be available at www.DTV2009.gov.

NTIA has certified more than 615 retailers representing more than 16,475 outlets nationwide to participate in the program. Certified retailers become participating retailers once they have converters for sale, employees trained, and the ability to redeem coupons.

“NTIA has been working very closely with manufacturers and retailers to make a positive customer experience,” said NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Baker. “Consumers can expect to receive their coupons soon. They should do their research on the converter box model that’s best for them and purchase it before the coupon expires in 90 days.”

The digital transition not only offers consumers a clearer television picture and more programming choices, it will also free up the nation’s airwaves for better communications among emergency first responders.

A PDF version of the TV Converter Box Coupon can be found at www.ntia.doc.gov.

Attention TV Stations: To down-link satellite coordinates of b-roll from the February 7, 2008 Digital TV One-Year Out Press Conference, please access the coordinates listed below between 12:00 and 12:15 p.m. (EST) on Friday, February 15, 2008. The nine minutes of footage include remarks and a display of the $40 coupon by Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez at a Washington-area retail store.In addition, a converter box demonstration and a consumer purchasing a converter box also will be featured.

Footage:
0:00 - 3:34 Brief remarks by Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on the digital TV transition and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program
3:34 - 4:46 General b-roll from the event
4:46 - 5:28 Analog TVs and DTV converter boxes b-roll
5:28 - 8:43 Customer using the TV Converter Box Coupon to buy a converter box
8:43 - 9:00 CMG holding up TV Converter Box Coupon

Coordinates:
Satellite: AMC-15
Transponder: 03
Band: KU Analog
Downlink Frequency: 11760 V

Background:
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009. The Act also authorizes Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to create the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

By February 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 over translators or other low power stations which 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 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 can 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), TTY 1-877-530-2634
• Mail a coupon application to PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000
• Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)

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

NTIA encourages the voluntary participation of consumer electronics retailers. The application deadline to become a certified retailer is March 31, 2008. Consumer electronics retailers interested in participating in the program should go to www.ntiadtv.gov or call 1-866-296-1107 for additional information and to sign up as a participating retailer.

NTIA is responsible for the development of the domestic and international telecommunications policy of the Executive Branch.