All television broadcasts are scheduled to switch from an analog to a digital format on February 17, 2009. In order to continue watching free over-the-air television after this Digital Television (DTV) transition occurs, some viewers may have to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box. Unfortunately, due to unexpected demand for the converter box program, a waiting-list for the coupons has been started. The most important thing to understand at the outset is: Will you be affected?
Who is affected? If you own an analog television (with a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears”), you will need to purchase the digital-to-analog converter box to continue watching television after the February 17th transition.
Who is NOT affected? If you own a digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner), or if your television is connected to cable or satellite, your TV should continue to function without interruption after the DTV transition.
The DTV transition is intended to free up valuable broadcast frequencies that can then be used by public safety entities, like police, fire departments and emergency rescue squads
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) implemented a 1.5 billion dollar Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program to help affected consumers afford the converter boxes. Through the program, each household can receive up to two coupons worth forty dollars each to be used toward the purchase of eligible converter boxes. However, it was recently announced that, due to overwhelming demand, coupon applicants are now being placed on a lengthy waiting list.
An estimated eleven million American households rely on analog television, but NTIA has already issued more than forty-one million converter box coupons, approximately twenty million of which have been redeemed. Many coupons may have been issued to households that do not actually need converter boxes.
Though converter box coupons expire ninety days after they are mailed, the NTIA cannot issue more coupons until the unused coupons expire. Upon expiration, the funds from unredeemed coupons will be reissued on a first-come-first-serve basis to consumers on the waiting list.
Congress is currently considering solutions to the converter box coupon shortage, including increasing funding for the program, passing a bill that would permit the NTIA to issue more coupons without waiting for unredeemed coupons to expire, or delaying the February 17th transition altogether. Retailers and lawmakers alike have voiced concerns that postponing the transition may cause confusion and problems for analog broadcasters that had prepared to cease broadcasting in February.
If you have an analog television and have not yet requested a converter box coupon, I encourage you to get on the coupon waiting list by contacting the NTIA at (888) 388-2009 or applying online at www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx. For more information about the DTV transition, visit www.dtv2009.gov.
I will continue working with my colleagues to develop a solution. In the interim, my staff is available to help you with any questions or concerns about the DTV transition. Please do not hesitate to contact my Fort Mitchell office at (859) 426-0080 and we will do everything we can to help ease this transition.